This study explores the effects of various physical activities—aerobic exercises, strength training, and yoga/stretching—on the mental health of Ukrainian students aged 18–25 in higher education institutions amid wartime conditions. Conducted over 12 weeks with 120 participants, the research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing standardized questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), self-reports, focus groups, and in-depth interviews. Results revealed significant mental health improvements across all experimental groups compared to the control group. Aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking and dance, were most effective in reducing anxiety and stress, likely due to increased endorphin levels. Strength training, using bodyweight exercises, significantly enhanced self-esteem and psychological well-being, attributed to feelings of physical empowerment. Yoga and stretching demonstrated the greatest impact on alleviating depressive symptoms and improving sleep quality through relaxation techniques. Group-based sessions in university settings fostered social support, mitigating the psychological toll of war. Despite challenges like air raid alerts and power outages affecting participation regularity, the effectiveness of physical activities remained robust. A negative correlation was observed between the frequency of air raid alerts and attendance, yet social support perceptions improved significantly in experimental groups. The study highlights the critical role of tailored physical activity programs in supporting students’ mental well-being during crises and provides actionable recommendations for their integration into educational settings, emphasizing adaptability to wartime constraints. Future research will focus on developing programs for individuals with war-related mental health diagnoses.
Salnykova et al. (Sat,) studied this question.