Acute effect of a physical education session in a natural environment on the level of stress and anxiety in schoolchildren
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.114325Keywords:
Surf, bodyboard , physical education, mental health, natureAbstract
Introduction: Stress is a physiological reaction to threatening or uncomfortable situations, affecting physical and emotional well-being.
Objective: To evaluate the acute effect of a physical education session in natural settings on students, through the practice of surfing, on the level of stress and anxiety.
Methodology: This is a quantitative, quasi-experimental study. Twenty-two Chilean students from the Valparaíso region, with an average age of 13.53, participated in a two-hour surfing session. The level of stress and anxiety was measured before and after the intervention, using the Children's Everyday Stress Questionnaire (IECI) and the Spence Scale (SCAS), respectively.
Results: a significant decrease in anxiety (PRE: 89.91+- 17.03; POST: 82.45+- 16.88; ∆: -7.45; p: <0.001; TE: 0.880), while stress decreased moderately with a non-significant downward trend (PRE: 6.27+- 3.79; POST: 5.68 +- 3.81; ∆: -0.59; p: <0.169; TE: 0.304).
Discussion: professional practice becomes the essential space to provide the necessary tools to face the challenges of the working world, through it, one has the opportunity to learn and improve one's skills on a continuous basis.
Conclusion: a surfing session can reduce anxiety and stress levels in schools, a factor to be considered for implementation in Physical Education classes.
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