The Effects of Exercise on Health Belief and Health Anxiety

Abstract

Aim:The aim of this study is to examine the effects of exercise on the beliefs of being healthy and anxiety for their health.Materials and Methods:This study was planned as a single-center, cross-sectional study. The population of the study consisted of patients who applied to the Family Medicine Polyclinic. The study was conducted with 331 healthy volunteers and the sociodemographic data and health status of each participant were questioned by face-to-face interview technique using the Demographic Information Form prepared by us. Participants’ Exercise Health Belief Model Scale (EHBMS) and Health Anxiety Scale to measure the presence of anxiety were applied and recorded.Results:In the study conducted with a total of 339 subjects, 175 (51.6%) of whom were women, 67.3% of the subjects were exercising. While 23.9% of those who were exercising were doing it every day, 28.9% were doing 1-2 times a week. Participants’ EHBMS mean score was 76.88±12.45, and Health Anxiety Scale mean score was 22.11±11.97. It was found that regular exercise was positively correlated with general health perception and negatively correlated with health anxiety.Conclusion:In our study, it was concluded that individuals who exercised had lower anxiety levels and felt healthier. All individuals should be advised to engage in physical activity considering their ages.

Keywords

• exercise
• health anxiety inventory
• exercise health belief model scale