ABSTRACT
This study aimed to examine the relationship between exercise and psychological stress among the rural population. We performed logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the relationship between exercise and psychological stress after adjusting for sex, age, drinking, smoking, and BMI. In the results, the OR value (95% CI) for the people who worked out regularly, as compared to non-participation, was 0.540 (0.392-0.744). In the case of exercise frequency per week, OR values for the people who exercised 1-4 days per week and more than 5 days per week, as referred to non-participation, were 0.506 (0.265-0.968), 0.453 (0.233-0.879), respectively. In the case of exercise amount per week, OR values for the people who took part in exercising less than 150 minutes, more than 150 minutes and less than 300 minutes, more than 300 minutes and less than 600 minutes, and more than 600 minutes, as compared to non-participation, were 0.535 (0.295-0.972), 0.315 (0.161-0.619), 0.475 (0.282-0.802), 0.762 (0.406-1.430), respectively. Regardless of exercise frequency, there was an inverse association between exercise participation more than 150 minutes and less than 600 minutes per week and psychological stress, and the most effective way to reduce psychological stress was taking part in exercise more than 150 minutes and less than 300 minutes per week.