Tyler Anderson
Dr. Kirk
Exercise Physiology
Sunday, December 4, 2011

Moderate-Intensity Exercise and its Reduction of Chronic Stress Burnout in College Women who Perform no Regular Physical Activity

Introduction:
If you were to go out and ask 12 random people on the street what their definition of stress was, you would more than likely get 12 different answers. This is due to the fact that there is not a definition of stress that everyone can agree on. In 1936, Hans Selye coined the term stress, defining it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change” (“Stress, Definition”). Stress can cause a multitude of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral effects on the human body: memory problems, depression or general unhappiness, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities. One of the most common activities utilized to reduce stress is aerobic exercise. Exercise increases blood flow that will bring additional nutrients and oxygen to the brain to allow for better cognitive function. Exercise will also release endorphins that can give the individual a feeling of happiness and positively affect your sense of well-being.

The transition from a high school to a college environment can place substantial demand of change on the body. Students go from living in the comfort of their homes to the cramped space of a dorm room. Students will also experience demands of having a load and level of homework they are not used to dealing with, new financial responsibilities, vulnerability to depression, new temptations, and having a multitude of psychological issues such as low self-esteem. Women in college are more likely to face greater demands because they are less likely to be in a more powerful position than men to change or alter and adjust to their environment. Surveys have shown that women cope