The Role of Morning Exercise on the Mental Health of the Students and Employees at NAJA (Case study: Shahid Dastghib Naja Training Center, Jahrom, Iran)

Morning exercise is a branch of outdoor workouts which has been given special emphasis on military centers. The current study was aimed to assess the effect of morning activities on mental health of the students and employees at NAJA (Disciplinary Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran). In this descriptive survey, 250 employees and students from NAJA (Shahid Dastghib ​​NAJA Training Center, Jahrom, Iran) were chosen using an availability sampling method. Morning exercise sessions were performed three times per week, with each exercise session lasting for 45 to 60 minutes with an intensity of 60-50%. For data collection, the depression, anxiety and stress questionnaire (DASS) and the mental health questionnaire were used in pre-test and post-test. A total of 250 employees and students from NAJA with an average age of 32 years were included. 94.4% of the participants were single. There was a significant relationship between morning exercises and a reduction in level of depression, anxiety and stress (P≤0.05). There was also a significant relationship between morning exercises and increasing general health level as well as controlling stress level of employees and students in a positive way (P≤0.05). Morning exercises in military centers could affect psychological features and consequently lead to a better mental and health state if conducted on a regular basis with proper standards and intensity factors.