Empirical Analysis on the Positive Correlation Between Physical Exercise and the Mental Health of College Students

Abstract

Physical exercise has been widely adopted to relieve mental stress and keep a happy mood. This paper mainly explores the positive impact of physical exercise on the mental health of college students. First, a questionnaire survey based on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was conducted among college students. The collected data were analysed on SPSS20.0 to identify the correlation between physical exercise and mental health in the four dimensions of cognition, emotion, personality and adaptation to environment. Next, a 12week follow-up test of physical exercise was conducted, focusing on exercise intensity, frequency, form, and mode. The results show that physical exercise can significantly improve the mental health of college students; the sensitivity index of highly sensitive students was improved by 28.9% through physical exercise; the most effective form of physical exercise that promote mental health include walking and swimming. The research findings lay the basis for the implementation of mental health education based on physical exercises.