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). While researchers agree that stress levels among younger generations are consistently high and that the harmful effects of this can be measured over time, many studies are looking at ways to alleviate stress. 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 play sports regularly have lower levels of stress. Young people who practice sport regularly are better able to develop their emotions and have higher levels of self-efficacy 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 program.
However, at this stage of our reflections, there are a number of questions that remain unanswered. What are the long-term effects of practicing sports and relaxation? This question raises yet another. Are young people becoming increasingly empowered in how they manage stress? In other words, if we want sports and relaxation techniques to have a lasting impact on younger generations day-to-day lives, must they not make them their own? Must there not be a process of internalization to create the conditions under which young people can become empowered and able to manage their stress themselves? Under what conditions can we claim that young people have incorporated relaxation techniques into their day-to-day lives?
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide some answers to these questions. While the ability of relaxation techniques to reduce perceived stress in the short term is beyond doubt, their long-term effectiveness needs to be studied. For this, incorporation of sports and relaxation techniques by young people themselves seems to be the best way of achieving a lasting effect on stress. These are the points for consideration that we wish to highlight in this Topic.
The expected articles should study the relationship between stress and sports and relaxation techniques. More specifically, they should analyze the long-term effects of sports and relaxation techniques on stress, and also the ability of younger generations to become autonomous and self-manage their stress. Proposals for articles must be in keeping with this heuristic approach and provide the best possible account of the strategies and methods used by young people to manage, control or even completely overcome their stress, using a wide range of sports and relaxation techniques.
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). While researchers agree that stress levels among younger generations are consistently high and that the harmful effects of this can be measured over time, many studies are looking at ways to alleviate stress. 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 play sports regularly have lower levels of stress. Young people who practice sport regularly are better able to develop their emotions and have higher levels of self-efficacy 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 program.
However, at this stage of our reflections, there are a number of questions that remain unanswered. What are the long-term effects of practicing sports and relaxation? This question raises yet another. Are young people becoming increasingly empowered in how they manage stress? In other words, if we want sports and relaxation techniques to have a lasting impact on younger generations day-to-day lives, must they not make them their own? Must there not be a process of internalization to create the conditions under which young people can become empowered and able to manage their stress themselves? Under what conditions can we claim that young people have incorporated relaxation techniques into their day-to-day lives?
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide some answers to these questions. While the ability of relaxation techniques to reduce perceived stress in the short term is beyond doubt, their long-term effectiveness needs to be studied. For this, incorporation of sports and relaxation techniques by young people themselves seems to be the best way of achieving a lasting effect on stress. These are the points for consideration that we wish to highlight in this Topic.
The expected articles should study the relationship between stress and sports and relaxation techniques. More specifically, they should analyze the long-term effects of sports and relaxation techniques on stress, and also the ability of younger generations to become autonomous and self-manage their stress. Proposals for articles must be in keeping with this heuristic approach and provide the best possible account of the strategies and methods used by young people to manage, control or even completely overcome their stress, using a wide range of sports and relaxation techniques.
