Correlation between Perceived Stress, Physical Fitness and Health Related Quality of Life in Young Adults

Abstract

Introduction: A majority of population all around the world battles with psychological conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression. Its effects on disease and certain health conditions is almost well known but what effect does it have on an individual free from disease is yet to be found. Aim: To establish a relationship between perceived stress levels, physical fitness and health related quality of life in young adults. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Physiotherapy at Institute of Applied Medicine and Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, from April 2020 to January 2021. A total of 120 subjects participated and were evaluated for perceived stress using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), strength, endurance and flexibility were screened with help of dynamic sit up test, plank test and trunk lift test. World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOLBREF) was used to measure the Health Related Quality Of Life (WHOQOL- BREF) domains and the statistical test used was Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of subjects was 20.82 years out of which 64 were females and 42 were males. Significant negative correlation (r-value= -0.819) was observed between perceived stress and endurance, negative correlation of significant nature (r-value= -0.805) was present between perceived stress and strength, a non significant, weak positive correlation at (r-value=0.105) was seen between perceived stress and flexibility. Consistent significant negative correlation was seen (r-value= -0.386, -0.423, -0.203, -0.124) between perceived stress and HRQOL. Conclusion: High perceived stress has a negative effect on physical fitness and HRQOL in young adults.