"Mental Health and Mind-Body Exercises in Sedentary Students" by Izmi Alya Khairunnisa and Aditya Denny Pratama
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Abstract

Sedentary Behavior (SB) among students is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, stress, and weakened immune function. According to the WHO, SB contributes to approximately two million deaths each year. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mind-body exercises in improving mental health outcomes—specifically stress reduction, anxiety management, and emotional regulation—among students with sedentary lifestyles. Using the PRISMA framework, 2,201 articles were identified from databases including Scopus, PubMed, and ProQuest, with six studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The review found that mind-body exercises such as yoga, tai chi, and pilates significantly reduce stress and anxiety, enhance emotional balance, and improve sleep quality. These interventions also support students in managing academic-related stress. The findings highlight the potential of incorporating mind-body exercise programs into university mental health strategies as a holistic and accessible approach to mitigating the adverse effects of sedentary behavior, particularly in the context of increasing digital engagement. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and broader population diversity to strengthen the evidence base.

Bahasa Abstract

Perilaku Sedentary (SB) di kalangan mahasiswa dikaitkan dengan peningkatan risiko depresi, kecemasan, stres, dan melemahnya fungsi imun. Menurut WHO, SB berkontribusi terhadap sekitar dua juta kematian setiap tahun. Tinjauan pustaka sistematis ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efektivitas latihan pikiran-tubuh dalam meningkatkan hasil kesehatan mental—khususnya pengurangan stres, pengelolaan kecemasan, dan pengaturan emosi—di kalangan mahasiswa dengan gaya hidup sedenter. Dengan menggunakan kerangka kerja PRISMA, 2.201 artikel diidentifikasi dari basis data termasuk Scopus, PubMed, dan ProQuest, dengan enam studi memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Tinjauan tersebut menemukan bahwa latihan pikiran-tubuh seperti yoga, tai chi, dan pilates secara signifikan mengurangi stres dan kecemasan, meningkatkan keseimbangan emosional, dan meningkatkan kualitas tidur. Intervensi ini juga mendukung mahasiswa dalam mengelola stres terkait akademis. Temuan tersebut menyoroti potensi penggabungan program latihan pikiran-tubuh ke dalam strategi kesehatan mental universitas sebagai pendekatan holistik dan mudah diakses untuk mengurangi efek buruk dari perilaku sedenter, khususnya dalam konteks peningkatan keterlibatan digital. Penelitian di masa mendatang harus mengeksplorasi hasil jangka panjang dan keragaman populasi yang lebih luas untuk memperkuat basis bukti.

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