The buffering effect of physical activity on adolescent psychological stress: a cross-sectional survey and a longitudinal follow-up of Chinese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing psychological stress among adolescents and the widespread adverse effects, physical activity provides a potential intervention measure, but research results and evidence are insufficient. METHODS: To clarify the relationship and accurately describe the buffering effect of physical activity on adolescent psychological stress, a questionnaire survey method was used to distribute 5400 questionnaires in 9 cities across the country, and a follow-up survey was conducted 8 weeks later. RESULTS: (1) Whether in a cross-sectional survey or a longitudinal follow-up, there was a significant correlation between the total score and various dimensions of physical activity, stress events, and stress symptoms in adolescents. (2) Cross-sectional surveys showed that physical activity could significantly regulate the relationship between stress events and the total score of stress symptoms, and can significantly buffer the dimensions of depression, anger, cross-nerve arousal, and muscle tension. (3) Longitudinal tracking showed that physical activity could significantly buffer the total score of stress symptoms after 8 weeks, but only significantly buffer the dimension of depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study used a large-scale nationwide survey for the first time to reflect the relationship between physical activity, psychological stress, and stress symptoms in adolescents. The results supported the cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis and provided a reference plan for physical activity to alleviate psychological stress in adolescents.