The Effect of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Psychological Variables Among Different University Freshmen Students in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of a 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program on selected psychological variables among freshman students at Mekelle University and Adigrat University. The region has experienced ongoing crises since 2019, leading to widespread psychological distress. Using a quasi-experimental design with purposive and random sampling, 80 participants were divided into experimental (40) and control groups (40), each comprising 20 students in selected Mekelle University and Adigrat University in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Data collected pre- and post-intervention via standardized questionnaires revealed significant improvements in anxiety, stress, depression, self-confidence, arousal, and motivation in the exercise group compared to controls. The findings suggest that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can be an effective intervention to enhance mental health among university students affected by socio-political crises.