Editorial: Stress in young people: Sports and relaxation techniques for self-management of stress

Bernardeau-Moreau Denis ^1* Alexandre OBOEUF ² Nadim Nassif ³

• ¹ Université de Lille, Lille, France
• ² Université de Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
• ³ Notre Dame University – Louaize, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon

Recent surveys (Macalli and al. 2021;Vsevolod and al. 2022) show that the unprecedented situation caused by the pandemic and the health crisis has brought about a dramatic and lasting increase in the stress experienced by young people, exacerbating mental health issues and poor eating habits (weight gain, anxiety and fears about the future). Scientific studies show that stress levels in the younger generations are high. While they highlight the negative effects of stress over time, they also look at ways of reducing it. Sport is one means that is often mentioned, as its beneficial effects help to reduce stress (Nguyen-Michel et al., 2006;Décamps et al., 2012;Cruz et al., 2013). Studies show that young people who regularly practice sport have lower stress levels. They are better able to control their emotions and have a higher degree of selfefficacy than more sedentary young people. Other studies also highlight how practicing relaxation can help to lower perceived stress levels (Brault-Labbé and Dubé, 2010;Gasselin, 2017;Cretin, 2019;Gondo and al., 2023). The results of a study (Deckro and al. 2002) show a significant reduction in psychological distress, anxiety and perceived stress in students who have taken part in a relaxation programme.Certainly, a lot of work exists in this area, but a number of questions remain unanswered. What are the long-term effects of sport and relaxation? Can young people manage their stress themselves? The important question is whether there is an effect on stress management. For sport and relaxation techniques to have a long-term impact on the daily life, the young generations need to appropriate the manner in which they are practiced. A process of internalisation and incorporation is required to create the conditions for young people's selfempowerment. How can we help young people to manage their own stress? The aim of this special issue is to explore these questions.The work proposed by Aslam and Yong Bin evaluates the impact of a structured agility training protocol on sedentary behavior, mood and stress in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Pakistan (N=100). Sedentary behaviour, mood and stress levels were assessed at the beginning and after the intervention. Results show that mood improved with a reduction in tension and fatigue and an increase in vigour. Stress levels in the intervention group decreased significantly. A systematically organized and agile training significantly reduces sedentary behavior while simultaneously improving the psychological well-being of adolescent populations.The study, published by Majauskiene et al., aims to determine whether participation in professional sports activities, exercise at a health or sports centre is associated with indicators related to health behaviour compared with not exercising. The survey included Lithuanian professional athletes (N=293) who practice independently or in a sports or health centre. The study examines health-related indicators: body mass index, subjective health, depressive mood, stress, sedentary behaviour, sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking, overeating). Their study reveals that participants who engage in physical activity generally score higher on various health-related scales than those who were inactive.This study by Hajj et al. aims to examine the impact of mindfulness practices on stress levels and their effect on young people's engagement in physical activities. Quantitative data were collected electronically from students at the University of Rouen and the Université de Paris-Cité (N=218). The questionnaires included personalized tools on sports practices and mindfulness as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The results confirm the idea that integrating wellness practices in educational settings can improve mental resilience and overall well-being of students, providing them with the essential tools to cope effectively with future stressors.In the text proposed by Coquinos, Oboeuf and Vitiello, the objective is to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and the concept of the physical self in women with endometriosis aged less than 30 years (N=198). The authors observe an amelioration in mental well-being and a reduction in the risk of anxiety and depression. Their results show that women who practice a regular physical activity have a significantly higher self-concept than those who do not. Physical activity contributes to the development of the concept of the physical self and increases the ability to overcome life's obstacles,The objective of the study conducted by Dugué, Sirost, Heutte and Dosseville is to test the effectiveness of an emotional intelligence program with health education students (N=68). The authors show that the early implementation of this program prepares students to face difficult situations through the integration of emotionally intelligent behaviors, such as reflection and Control of discomfort and appropriate expression of emotions. Their results confirm that a cooperative dynamic increases motivation and improves self-efficacy and social behaviors. According the authors, emotional intelligence can be improved with physical activities and open possibilities to include emotional intelligence program in health training program.Trpkovici, Prémusz, Makai and Ács intend to show through their research how the stress situation created in virtual reality generates psychological responses in athletes compared to the responses they experience during a competitive match. All participants (N=24 female athletes) completed the Athlete Anxiety Questionnaire, in order to measure anxiety in high-stakes situations and assess levels of concentration and self-confidence during games. The results of this research indicate that the virtual reality simulated sports stress scenario triggers athletes' stress responses comparable to those experienced in real competitive games. Based on these results, the authors conclude that virtual reality technology shows promise as a tool for improving athletes' stress management skills and could be an important asset in sports psychology preparation processes.The articles in this special issue examined the impact of sport, physical activity and relaxation on stress in the population (women, adolescents, students, young people). Various concepts were discussed: Self-concept and mindfulness practices are used to measure the effects of physical exercise on women's stress and anxiety. Several experimental contexts contributed to improve well-being and awareness, for example the emotional intelligence program developing self-efficacy or the stress situation created in virtual reality. Another example is the structural agility training protocol which profoundly changes adolescent's mood and stress. All these practices and experiments underlined the importance and relevance of incorporating wellness practices to combat the stress and anxiety.We would like to sincerely thank all the authors of this special issue for their contributions.