Influence of Physical Activity on Stress Tolerance in College Students

College years are one of the most stressful periods of a person's life (Hales, 2009). Millennial college students are unique, including the manner in which they handle stressors. While physical activity plays a role in perceived stress level of college students, there is the need to examine physical activity in relation to the construct of stress tolerance. Variance in ability to handle stress can be attributed to stress tolerance (Welle & Graf, 2011). The purpose of this study was to identify types of physical activity (PA) significantly related to high stress tolerance among college students. An epidemiological cross-sectional study of randomly selected college students (N=973) completed the Stress Tolerance Questionnaire (STQ) comprised of checklists for stressors, coping strategies and physical activity. Stress tolerance ratios (STRs) were calculated, and subjects divided into high or low stress tolerance groups. Statistical differences were determined by Chi-Square and Odds Ratio (95%CI). Fourteen coping factors (out of 29) were significantly associated with h stress tolerance (HST): six were protective factors while the eight others put one at risk for low stress tolerance (p<0.05). Out of four types of PA studied, vigorous exercise, stretching, and resistance training were found to be significantly associated with HST (p<0.05); however, moderate exercise was not. Most coping mechanisms employed by college students are ineffective for alleviating stress and actually put these students at risk for low stress tolerance. In order for college student to guard against stress, physical activity needs to be promoted more within the college environment.