Publication Search

Exercise is a planned physical activity that not only contributes to physical fitness but also plays a significant role in maintaining and improving mental health. This study aims to explore the relationship between physical exercise and mental well-being among adolescents and university students with diverse backgrounds of physical activity. The research employs a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with five informants, consisting of university students who engage in recreational exercise, recreational runners, middle- and long-distance runners, and a sprinter. Data collection was conducted in several public sports spaces in the city of Bandung, focusing on participants’ subjective experiences related to their psychological conditions before and after engaging in exercise. The findings indicate that all participants perceive exercise as an effective means of emotional regulation. Physical activity is consistently associated with improved mood, reduced stress, enhanced sleep quality, stable energy levels, and increased academic concentration and focus. In addition, exercise contributes to the development of self-confidence, self-efficacy, and self-control through structured routines. The social aspects of exercise, such as support from peers, communities, and coaches, were shown to strengthen the sustainability of physical activity while also providing essential emotional support for mental health. However, among competitive athletes, performance-related pressure was identified as a factor that may negatively affect psychological well-being, although this effect can be moderated by adequate social support. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize that exercise functions as an adaptive coping mechanism operating through biological, psychological, and social pathways, and highlight the importance of consistency and balance in physical activity to achieve optimal mental health benefits.  

The 50 meter freestyle is a sprint event that requires explosive strength, efficient technique, and optimal body stability. Arm muscle strength contributes directly to propulsion, while core muscle strength supports stability and force transfer. This study aimed to analyze the influence of arm and abdominal muscle strength on 50-meter freestyle swimming performance among athletes of the Science Swimming Team (SST) Sidoarjo. A quantitative correlational design was employed with a sample of 10 athletes aged 10–12 years (5 males, 5 females). Arm muscle strength was measured using the pull-up test, abdominal strength with a 30-second sit-up test, and swimming performance with the best time in a 50-meter freestyle trial. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression with a 0.05 significance level. Results indicated a significant correlation between arm strength and swimming performance (r = 0.773; p = 0.009), while abdominal strength showed a positive but non-significant correlation (r = 0.609; p = 0.062). Regression analysis revealed that both variables together explained 57.7% of the variance in swimming speed. It is concluded that arm muscle strength has a dominant influence on freestyle sprint performance, whereas core muscles serve as supporting factors for stability and efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of integrated training programs combining arm and core strengthening to optimize sprint performance in young swimmers.

Physical condition is a very important aspect to support a student's achievement, so condition factors must be considered by students. The aim of this research was to determine and assess the level of physical condition of football extracurricular students at SMA Negeri 1 Purwosari. This type of research uses a quantitative descriptive survey design, the variable studied is the level of physical condition. In this study, the samples were taken from all students who were active in taking part in extracurricular football at SMA Negei 1 Purwosari, totaling 30 students. The results of the physical condition of extracurricular football students at SMA Negeri 1 Purwosari obtained several criteria, namely: the 30 meter sprint test of 30 students got a frequency of 15 with a percentage of 50% and was included in the poor category. In the T-test, the frequency was 15 with a percentage of 50% and was included in the medium criteria. In the Sit and Reach test, the frequency was 19 with a percentage of 63.3% and was included in the good criteria. In the Standing Long Jump test, the frequency was 20 with a percentage of 66.7% and was included in the medium criteria. In the Yo-yo Test, the frequency was 13 with a percentage of 47.6% and was included in the medium criteria. In the Push-up test, the frequency was 20 with a percentage of 66.7% and was included in the medium criteria. It is hoped that by conducting this research, students can further improve their physical condition so they can play optimally.