Samuel Palacios

Abstract:

In this study I looked at the stress levels of several human participants. This study was important because stress is common among people around the world. Continued strain on the body from stress can cause serious health problems, like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought multiple factors that may increase stress levels, like worry about loved ones, the challenge of helping children with online school, and fear of losing a job. So with the pandemic, stress levels are bound to be higher, making this an even more important matter. The goal of this experiment was to determine how just two weeks of moderate exercise would affect stress levels. This was researched by choosing 3 people who did not exercise regularly, and choosing 3 people who did exercise regularly (Control Group). All 6 people were given a stress scale survey. They completed the survey and I recorded their results. They all walked briskly for twenty minutes each day for 2 weeks, and at the end of the 2 week period both groups retook the survey and I compared each participant's responses from their first survey with their responses from the second survey. Anyone that answered yes to question number 11 before the 2 week period on the Perceived Stress Scale Survey was disqualified. The data suggested that exercise did decrease stress levels. It also showed that the non regular exercisers' stress levels decreased significantly more than those of the regular exercisers.

Awards won: The Price Chopper Golub Foundation Award