A PRE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND BODY IMAGE SATISFACTION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN A SELECTED COLLEGE OF MEERUT, U.P

Abstract

Introduction: Psychological well-being and body image satisfaction are essential components of mental health among nursing students. Academic pressure, clinical responsibilities, and lifestyle-related factors may negatively affect psychological well-being and body image perception. Aerobic exercise is recognized as a cost-effective, non pharmacological intervention that promotes both physical and mental health. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on psychological well-being and body image satisfaction among nursing students. Objectives: To assess the Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise on improving Body Image Satisfaction and Psychological Well-being among Nursing Students. Methods: A quantitative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was adopted. The study was conducted among 60 nursing students selected through convenience sampling from the College of Nursing, LLRM Medical College, Meerut. Data were collected using a socio-demographic proforma, Ryff’s Psychological Well Being Scale, and Body Image Satisfaction Scale. Aerobic exercise sessions were administered for four weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics including paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Chi-square test were used for analysis. Results: The mean psychological well-being score increased from 57.46 ± 18.22 in the pre-test to 101.56 ± 11.00 in the post-test. The calculated paired t-value was 15.02. The mean body image satisfaction score increased from 11.84 ± 4.00 to 26.39 ± 5.51 with a paired t-value of 16.92. A moderate positive correlation was found between psychological well being and body image satisfaction (r=0.445, p=0.003). No statistically significant association was observed between the study variables and selected demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise was found to be highly effective in improving psychological well-being and body image satisfaction among nursing students. Regular aerobic exercise may be incorporated into student wellness programs to promote mental health.