Authors: Prof. Vrushabh Bawankar, Mr. Nilesh Chavhan, Mr. Swaraj Bendke
Abstract: Master's students represent a demographic highly vulnerable to sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, and poor mental health due to intense academic pressures. This paper investigates the potential of a structured daily morning exercise regimen as a non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate these issues. The study proposes a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the effects of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity morning exercise, performed five times a week for four weeks, on key physical and mental health parameters. Key metrics include stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale), mood (PHQ-9 & custom surveys), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and physical fitness (BMI, cardiovascular endurance). We hypothesize that the intervention group will show statistically significant improvements across all measured parameters compared to a control group. The findings aim to provide a compelling case for educational institutions to actively promote and integrate structured physical activity into student wellness programs, thereby enhancing overall academic productivity and student well-being.
