Research Article
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Comparison of Cognitive Flexibility and State-Trait Anxiety Levels in Individuals Engaging in Regular Exercise and Sedentary Individuals

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 186 - 193, 27.06.2025

Musa Oytun , Bingül Subaşı , Cevdet Tınazcı , Hasan Ulaş Yavuz

https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.25.2.09

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether the psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels of individuals who exercise regularly differ from those of sedentary individuals and to determine whether exercise has a mediating role on psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels. The participants of the study, which was conducted using the causal comparison model, consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who exercised regularly, selected by purposive sampling method, and the sedentary group consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who had no exercise history, selected by random sampling method. Personal information form, Beck Anxiety Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used in the study. The findings of the study show that there is a significant difference between the anxiety levels of regular exercisers and sedentary individuals. Another result of the study is that there is a significant negative relationship between both anxiety and state anxiety levels and psychological flexibility levels of participants who exercise regularly. In addition, it was determined that the total scores of the Psychological Flexibility Scale predicted the Beck Anxiety Scale and State Anxiety Inventory scores statistically significantly and negatively in individuals who exercised regularly. As a result, it can be said that regular exercise may positively affect psychological flexibility and may be a factor that reduces both state and general anxiety levels.

Keywords

exercise cognitive flexibility anxiety

References

  • Aguirre-Loaiza, H., Arenas, J., Arias, I., Franco-Jímenez, A., Barbosa-Granados, S., Ramos-Bermúdez, S., Ayala-Zuluaga, F., Núñez, C., & García-Mas, A. (2019). Effect of Acute Physical Exercise on Executive Functions and Emotional Recognition: Analysis of Moderate to High Intensity in Young Adults. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2774. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02774
  • Aylett, E., Small, N., & Bower, P. (2018). Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC health services research, 18(1), 559. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5
  • Bahmani, D. S., Razazian, N., Motl, R. W., Farnia, V., Alikhani, M., Pühse, U., Gerber, M., & Brand, S. (2020). Physical activity interventions can improve emotion regulation and dimensions of empathy in persons with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory study. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 37, 101380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2019.101380
  • Barahona-Fuentes, G., Huerta Ojeda, Á., & Chirosa-Ríos, L. (2021). Effects of Training with Different Modes of Strength Intervention on Psychosocial Disorders in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(18), 9477. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189477
  • Bernstein, E. E., & McNally, R. J. (2017). Acute aerobic exercise helps overcome emotion regulation deficits. Cognition & Emotion, 31(4), 834–843. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 02699931.2016.1168284.Böke İ. (2018). Spor yapan lise öğrencilerinin benlik saygısı, genel kaygıdüzeyi ve stresle başa çıkma becerilerinin incelenmesi (Yüksek Lisans Tezi). İstanbul: İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi.
  • Caspersen, C. J., Powell, K. E., & Christenson, G. M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 100(2), 126–131.
  • Du, M., Peng, Y., Li, Y., Zhu, Y., Yang, S., Li, J., Zou, F., Wang, Y., Wu, X., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, M. (2022). Effect of trait anxiety on cognitive flexibility: Evidence from event-related potentials and resting-state EEG. Biological psychology, 170, 108319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108319
  • Fernandes, J., Arida, R. M., and Gomez-Pinilla, F. (2017). Physical exercise as an epigenetic modulator of brain plasticity and cognition. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev, 80, 443–456. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.012
  • Harward Health Publishing. (2023) The 4 most important types of exercise. Erişim adresi: https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/the-4-most-important-types-of-exercise Erişim Tarihi: 17.06.2024
  • Haverkamp, B. F., Wiersma, R., Vertessen, K., van Ewijk, H., Oosterlaan, J., & Hartman, E. (2020). Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adoles- cents and young adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(23), 2637–2660. https:// doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1794763
  • Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy and contextual behavioral science: examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behavior therapy, 44(2), 180–198.
  • Herzog, E., Voß, M., Keller, V., Koch, S., Takano, K., Cludius, B. (2022). The benefits of physical exercise on state anxiety: Exploring possible mechanisms, Mental Health and Physical Activity. 23, 100478, ISSN 1755-2966, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100478.
  • Johles, L., Gustafsson, H., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Classon, C., Hasselqvist, J. and Lundgren, T. (2020). Psychological Flexibility Among Competitive Athletes: A Psychometric Investigation of a New Scale. Front. Sports Act. Living, 2:110.
  • Lin, Y., & Gao, W. (2023). The effects of physical exercise on anxiety symptoms of college students: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1136900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136900
  • Mandolesi, L., Polverino, A., Montuori, S., Foti, F., Ferraioli, G., Sorrentino, P., Sorrentino, G. (2018). Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 509. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509
  • Martinsen E. W. (2008). Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression. Nordic journal of psychiatry, 62 Suppl 47, 25–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039480802315640
  • Mottola, M. (2020). Athletic Identity, Psychological Flexibility, and Motivation for Return to Sport in Injured NCAA Athletes (Doctoral dissertation, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville).
  • Ottaviani, C., Watson, D. R., Meeten, F., Makovac, E., Garfinkel, S. N., & Critchley, H. D. (2016). Neurobiological substrates of cognitive rigidity and autonomic inflexibility in generalized anxiety disorder. Biological Psychology, 119, 31–41. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.06.009
  • Ramos-Sanchez, C. P., Schuch, F. B., Seedat, S., Louw, Q. A., Stubbs, B., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., van Winkel, R., & Vancampfort, D. (2021). The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta- analytic evidence. Psychiatry Research, 302, Article 114046. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114046
  • Smits, J. A., Berry, A. C., Rosenfield, D., Powers, M. B., Behar, E., & Otto, M. W. (2008). Reducing anxiety sensitivity with exercise. Depression and Anxiety, 25(8), 689–699. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20411
  • Voss, M. W., Kramer, A. F., Basak, C., Prakash, R. S., & Roberts, B. (2010). Are expert athletes ‘expert’ in the cognitive laboratory? A meta-analytic review of cognition and sport expertise. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(6), 812–826. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1588
  • Weinberg, R. S., and Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of sport and exercise psychology, 6th Edn. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Wilson, C. G., Nusbaum, A. T., Whitney, P., & Hinson, J. M. (2018). Trait anxiety impairs cognitive flexibility when overcoming a task acquired response and a preexisting bias. PLoS One, 13(9), Article e0204694. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0204694
  • Xia, B., Ma, Z., Hu, Y. (2020). Research on the Relationship between Physical Exercise, Psychological Flexibility and Positive Emotion of College Students Based on Computer Mathematical Model. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1578.
  • Yin, J., Tang, L., & Dishman, R. K. (2021). The effects of a single session of mindful exercise on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 21, Article 100403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100403

Düzenli Egzersiz Yapan ve Sedanter Bireylerin Bilişsel Esneklik ve Durumluk Sürekli Kaygı Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 186 - 193, 27.06.2025

Musa Oytun , Bingül Subaşı , Cevdet Tınazcı , Hasan Ulaş Yavuz

https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.25.2.09

Abstract

Bu çalışma düzenli egzersiz yapan bireylerin psikolojik esneklik ve durumluk kaygı düzeylerinin sedanter bireylere göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını belirlemek ve egzersiz yapmanın psikolojik esneklik ve durumluk kaygı düzeyleri üzerinde aracı rolü olup olmadığını tespit etmek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Nedensel karşılaştırma modeli kullanılarak yürütülen çalışmanın düzenli egzersiz yapan katılımcıları amaçsal örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilen 18 yaş ve üzeri 100 kişiden, sedanter grup ise gelişigüzel örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilen egzersiz geçmişi olmayan 18 yaş ve üzeri 100 kişiden oluşmaktadır. Çalışmada kişisel bilgi formu, Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği ve Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Çalışma bulguları düzenli egzersiz yapan ve sedanter bireylerin anksiyete düzeyleri arasında anlamlı düzeyde fark olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışmanın bir başka sonucu ise, düzenli egzersiz yapan kişilerin hem kaygı hem de durumluk kaygı düzeyleri ile psikolojik esneklik düzeyleri arasında olumsuz yönlü anlamlı ilişki olmasıdır. Ayrıca düzenli egzeriz yapan bireylerin Psikolojik Esneklik Ölçeği toplam puanlarının, Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği ve Durumluk Kaygı Envanteri puanlarını istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde ve negatif olarak yordadığı belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, düzenli egzersiz yapmanın psikolojik esnekliği olumlu etkileyebileceği ve hem durumluk hemde genel kaygı düzeyini düşüren bir faktör olabileceği söylenebilir.

Keywords

egzersiz bilişsel esneklik anksiyete

References

  • Aguirre-Loaiza, H., Arenas, J., Arias, I., Franco-Jímenez, A., Barbosa-Granados, S., Ramos-Bermúdez, S., Ayala-Zuluaga, F., Núñez, C., & García-Mas, A. (2019). Effect of Acute Physical Exercise on Executive Functions and Emotional Recognition: Analysis of Moderate to High Intensity in Young Adults. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2774. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02774
  • Aylett, E., Small, N., & Bower, P. (2018). Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC health services research, 18(1), 559. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5
  • Bahmani, D. S., Razazian, N., Motl, R. W., Farnia, V., Alikhani, M., Pühse, U., Gerber, M., & Brand, S. (2020). Physical activity interventions can improve emotion regulation and dimensions of empathy in persons with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory study. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 37, 101380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2019.101380
  • Barahona-Fuentes, G., Huerta Ojeda, Á., & Chirosa-Ríos, L. (2021). Effects of Training with Different Modes of Strength Intervention on Psychosocial Disorders in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(18), 9477. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189477
  • Bernstein, E. E., & McNally, R. J. (2017). Acute aerobic exercise helps overcome emotion regulation deficits. Cognition & Emotion, 31(4), 834–843. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 02699931.2016.1168284.Böke İ. (2018). Spor yapan lise öğrencilerinin benlik saygısı, genel kaygıdüzeyi ve stresle başa çıkma becerilerinin incelenmesi (Yüksek Lisans Tezi). İstanbul: İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi.
  • Caspersen, C. J., Powell, K. E., & Christenson, G. M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 100(2), 126–131.
  • Du, M., Peng, Y., Li, Y., Zhu, Y., Yang, S., Li, J., Zou, F., Wang, Y., Wu, X., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, M. (2022). Effect of trait anxiety on cognitive flexibility: Evidence from event-related potentials and resting-state EEG. Biological psychology, 170, 108319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108319
  • Fernandes, J., Arida, R. M., and Gomez-Pinilla, F. (2017). Physical exercise as an epigenetic modulator of brain plasticity and cognition. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev, 80, 443–456. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.012
  • Harward Health Publishing. (2023) The 4 most important types of exercise. Erişim adresi: https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/the-4-most-important-types-of-exercise Erişim Tarihi: 17.06.2024
  • Haverkamp, B. F., Wiersma, R., Vertessen, K., van Ewijk, H., Oosterlaan, J., & Hartman, E. (2020). Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adoles- cents and young adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(23), 2637–2660. https:// doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1794763
  • Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy and contextual behavioral science: examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behavior therapy, 44(2), 180–198.
  • Herzog, E., Voß, M., Keller, V., Koch, S., Takano, K., Cludius, B. (2022). The benefits of physical exercise on state anxiety: Exploring possible mechanisms, Mental Health and Physical Activity. 23, 100478, ISSN 1755-2966, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100478.
  • Johles, L., Gustafsson, H., Jansson-Fröjmark, M., Classon, C., Hasselqvist, J. and Lundgren, T. (2020). Psychological Flexibility Among Competitive Athletes: A Psychometric Investigation of a New Scale. Front. Sports Act. Living, 2:110.
  • Lin, Y., & Gao, W. (2023). The effects of physical exercise on anxiety symptoms of college students: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1136900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136900
  • Mandolesi, L., Polverino, A., Montuori, S., Foti, F., Ferraioli, G., Sorrentino, P., Sorrentino, G. (2018). Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 509. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00509
  • Martinsen E. W. (2008). Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression. Nordic journal of psychiatry, 62 Suppl 47, 25–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039480802315640
  • Mottola, M. (2020). Athletic Identity, Psychological Flexibility, and Motivation for Return to Sport in Injured NCAA Athletes (Doctoral dissertation, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville).
  • Ottaviani, C., Watson, D. R., Meeten, F., Makovac, E., Garfinkel, S. N., & Critchley, H. D. (2016). Neurobiological substrates of cognitive rigidity and autonomic inflexibility in generalized anxiety disorder. Biological Psychology, 119, 31–41. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.06.009
  • Ramos-Sanchez, C. P., Schuch, F. B., Seedat, S., Louw, Q. A., Stubbs, B., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., van Winkel, R., & Vancampfort, D. (2021). The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta- analytic evidence. Psychiatry Research, 302, Article 114046. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114046
  • Smits, J. A., Berry, A. C., Rosenfield, D., Powers, M. B., Behar, E., & Otto, M. W. (2008). Reducing anxiety sensitivity with exercise. Depression and Anxiety, 25(8), 689–699. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20411
  • Voss, M. W., Kramer, A. F., Basak, C., Prakash, R. S., & Roberts, B. (2010). Are expert athletes ‘expert’ in the cognitive laboratory? A meta-analytic review of cognition and sport expertise. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(6), 812–826. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.1588
  • Weinberg, R. S., and Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of sport and exercise psychology, 6th Edn. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  • Wilson, C. G., Nusbaum, A. T., Whitney, P., & Hinson, J. M. (2018). Trait anxiety impairs cognitive flexibility when overcoming a task acquired response and a preexisting bias. PLoS One, 13(9), Article e0204694. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0204694
  • Xia, B., Ma, Z., Hu, Y. (2020). Research on the Relationship between Physical Exercise, Psychological Flexibility and Positive Emotion of College Students Based on Computer Mathematical Model. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1578.
  • Yin, J., Tang, L., & Dishman, R. K. (2021). The effects of a single session of mindful exercise on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 21, Article 100403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2021.100403
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Musa Oytun 0000-0002-8926-6053

Bingül Subaşı 0000-0003-3633-622X

Cevdet Tınazcı 0000-0002-9646-025X

Hasan Ulaş Yavuz 0000-0002-8933-4028

Publication Date June 27, 2025
Submission Date December 25, 2023
Acceptance Date March 24, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Oytun, M., Subaşı, B., Tınazcı, C., Yavuz, H. U. (2025). Düzenli Egzersiz Yapan ve Sedanter Bireylerin Bilişsel Esneklik ve Durumluk Sürekli Kaygı Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması. Kıbrıs Türk Psikiyatri Ve Psikoloji Dergisi, 7(2), 186-193. https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.25.2.09
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