Comparing the Effect of Running and Playing Football on the Level of Social Anxiety of Male Students

The way of life for the current century has produced manifestations such as anxiety, worry and fear, therefore this study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of running and playing football on the level of social anxiety of male students.

In this semi-experimental research that was conducted in the field, 20 male students aged 16 to 18 years, whose anxiety level was less than 10 using the Kettle test, were selected and randomly divided into two groups of football practice and running. . The subjects ran and played football for 8 weeks and their anxiety level were measured again. In order to describe the demographic characteristics of the research, descriptive statistics were used, and in order to analyze inferential statistics, correlation t and analysis of covariance were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.

The mean and standard deviation of the anxiety score in the pre-test and post-test stages in the running group were 5.5 ± 2.66, 3.75 ± 2.38 and in the football game group 5.6 ± 2.42, 2.39 respectively. It was ± 4.55. The results showed that an eight-week training period of running and playing football has reduced the level of students' anxiety. Also, running caused a greater decrease in anxiety than the football training group (p≤0.01). The results showed that running and playing football significantly reduce anxiety symptoms.

The mechanisms through which exercise produces these effects probably involve a combination of biological and psychological factors. Physical activity may also be beneficial in reducing symptoms of comorbid mental illnesses and the risk of physical health complications over time. Promoting physical activity can be a way to prevent or treat anxiety disorders with a wide range of benefits. However, before these approaches can be fully implemented in mental health services, further research will be necessary to address important gaps in the background literature.