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Institute of Sport Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
Institute of Sport Economics and Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
There are numerous studies available confirming the prominent role of sport in the maintenance of mental health, in particular their contribution to stress management or to the prevention of depression (Meyer et al., 2020; Bartha, 2018; Haugen et al.,2016). Recreational sport is an excellent tool to prevent the development of health problems caused by stress. The chief objectives of my research have been to explore how often people use physical exercise as a stress management tool in their everyday life and where sport fits in the strategies for coping with stress. My specific aim has been to see if there is a difference in the effect of sport on mental health depending on the branch of sports pursued, the location for doing sports chosen and the company of other practitioners included in the activity. I have conducted a survey based on a questionnaire, which was completed by 241 respondents. Overall, my results reflect that, although a lot of people are aware of the role of sport in health, they do not consciously use it as a coping strategy. Sport has a positive impact on mental health in general, but there are specific forms of sport that are highly supportive of mental well-being. By consciously choosing the conditions or circumstances in which we work out, we can use sport to support multiple dimensions of mental health.
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