RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS AT UEPB

Abstract

This study aims to verify the relationship between the practice of physical activity, symptoms of depression and anxiety and quality of life in Physical Education students at the State University of Paraíba. A questionnaire based on three validated instruments (IPAQ – short version, HAD Scale and WHOQOL-bref) was applied to develop the quantitative approach, and Network Analysis was carried out using the JASP software. Through the relationships observed in this study, it was possible to identify that the practice of physical activity conditions and interferes with the symptoms of mental disorders and the quality of life of Physical Education students at UEPB, verifying the existence of a conditioning cycle and the interdependence that a variable cause in the other. Finally, the results described in this study show the importance of practicing regular physical activity as an effective method for promoting students' mental health and well-being.