“Students Moving Together”, Tailored Exercise for Students Facing Mental Health Challenges—A Pilot Feasibility Study

Abstract

An increasing number of university students are facing mental health challenges. The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of 10 weeks of supervised tailored group exercise for 60 min twice a week delivered by the student health service for students facing mental health challenges. Secondary aims were to explore changes in mental health and physical fitness from pre- to post-test. Feasibility was assessed in terms of recruitment, drop-outs, attendance, and adverse events. The secondary outcomes included symptoms of depression and anxiety, wellbeing, satisfaction with life, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance/strength. A total of 13 university students with self-reported mental health challenges, aged 20–39 years, were recruited during a four-week period. Ten (77%) of these completed the intervention and post-test as planned, and no adverse events occurred. There was a significant average reduction of 20% in symptoms of depression and anxiety (p = 0.008), and non-significant improvements of 21% in well-being and 16% in satisfaction with life were found. On average, cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.01) and muscular strength (push-ups test, p = 0.01, and sit-ups test, p = 0.02) increased. In conclusion, a 10-week tailored exercise intervention delivered by the student mental health service was found to be feasible, and beneficial for mental health and physical fitness in students facing mental health challenges.