One Is The Loneliest Number That You’ll Ever Do
“They say” that exercise can be a great stress reliever. But there are often mixed data on this — whether 
it is or is not a stress reliever. Given that, there must be some other factor that’s mucking up the data.
This study looks at one of them. When you exercise in a group, your stress levels are reduced by 26 percent, compared to those who brave it all by themselves.
Why would that be?
- Are they just grumpy that no one wants to work out with them?
- Are they more stressy because they can only mutter to them selves on their little angry runs?
- Or do they report being less calm because they wanted to be in the “group exerciser” arm of the study, and do understand why the universe is conspiring against them?
The world may never know the reasons why group activities lead people to report higher quality of life, but it may be because we’re human. Just thinking out loud here, but we ARE social animals. If we go against that essential nature, it’s just not going to go well.
So, find a group to walk or ride or talk or play ping pong or whatever with. If you do this, it’s not only better for your muscles, it’s better for your heart and mind as well.
This research was originally pubbed here.
Researchers found working out in a group lowers stress by 26 percent and significantly improves quality of life, while those who exercise individually put in more effort but experienced no significant changes in their stress level and a limited improvement to quality of life, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
“The communal benefits of coming together with friends and colleagues, and doing something difficult, while encouraging one another, pays dividends beyond exercising alone,” said Dayna Yorks, DO, lead researcher on this study. “The findings support the concept of a mental, physical and emotional approach to health that is necessary for student doctors and physicians.”
Dr. Yorks and her fellow researchers at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine recruited 69 medical students — a group known for high levels of stress and self-reported low quality of life — and allowed them to self-select into a twelve-week exercise program, either within a group setting or as individuals. A control group abstained from exercise other than walking or biking as a means of transportation.
Every four weeks, participants completed a survey asking them to rate their levels of perceived stress and quality of life in three categories: mental, physical and emotional.
Those participating in group exercise spent 30 minutes at least once a week in CXWORX, a core strengthening and functional fitness training program. At the end of the twelve weeks, their mean monthly survey scores showed significant improvements in all three quality of life measures: mental (12.6 percent), physical (24.8 percent) and emotional (26 percent). They also reported a 26.2 percent reduction in perceived stress levels.
By comparison, individual fitness participants were allowed to maintain any exercise regimen they preferred, which could include activities like running and weight lifting, but they had to work out alone or with no more than two partners. On average the solitary exercisers worked out twice as long, and saw no significant changes in any measure, except in mental quality of life (11 percent increase). Similarly, the control group saw no significant changes in quality of life or perceived stress.
“Medical schools understand their programs are demanding and stressful. Given this data on the positive impact group fitness can have, schools should consider offering group fitness opportunities,” said Dr. Yorks. “Giving students an outlet to help them manage stress and feel better mentally and physically can potentially alleviate some of the burnout and anxiety in the profession.”
Story Source:
Materials provided by American Osteopathic Association.
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