Psychiatry Investig.  2025 Feb;22(2):196-203. 10.30773/pi.2024.0179.

Relationships Between Exercise Components and Social Anxiety Levels Among Chinese College Students

• Cheng Q
• Yu W
• Ju M
• Yang D
• Fu J
• Song S

• KMID: 2564772
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2024.0179

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to explore the relationships between various exercise components (frequency, intensity, duration) and social anxiety.
Methods
A sample of 844 college students in China participated in this study. The Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 assessed participants’ daily physical activity. Social anxiety levels were measured using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. A questionnaire was developed to collect demographic information and examine the relationships between exercise components and social anxiety levels.
Results
One-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in social anxiety levels across varying physical activity intensities. Specifically, students engaging in high levels of physical activity exhibited the lowest social anxiety. Post hoc analyses identified that exercise frequency F3 (p<0.01), exercise duration D5 (p<0.01), and exercise intensity I3 (p<0.01) were significantly associated with the lowest social anxiety levels. Among these components, regression analysis indicated that exercise duration (p<0.01) had the most substantial impact on social anxiety levels, followed by exercise frequency (p<0.05). In contrast, exercise intensity (p>0.05) did not significantly affect social anxiety levels.
Conclusion
The most influential factors associated with decreased social anxiety were: 1) moderate to high exercise intensity, 2) exercise duration of at least one hour, and 3) exercise frequency of at least 1–2 times per week. Among these factors, exercise duration and frequency demonstrated significantly stronger associations with reduced social anxiety. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize exercise duration and frequency in physical activity programs for college students to reduce social anxiety and achieve more substantial outcomes.

Keyword

Physical activity; Social anxiety; Mental health; Young adult; China