Stress, physical activity and health complaints. Buffering effects of physical activity and activities of daily living?

Sport and physical activity are attributed with a positive influence on stress induced complaints due to their overall positive effect on health. The buffering effect on stress has not yet been clearly shown and the findings are inhomogeneous. The following article examines the buffering effect of sport and physical activity on different types of psychological and physical complaints. Therefore, a study was conducted questioning 453 people (M = 53.56 years; SD = 11.31) about chronic stress (Perceived Stress Scale), physical complaints (Giessener Beschwerdebogen) and their subjective physical activities (Energy consumption through physical activity - e.g. Soccer or Jogging) and energy consumption - daily bike and walking activity). A buffering effect on nearly all types of complaints could be shown through physical activity, but not through lifestyle activities. Physical activity acts complaint reducing on people suffering from increased stress. A more differentiated examination of the physical activity behaviour, the stress perception and the type of complaints might contribute to clearer findings.