Title: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study of the Relationship between Exercise and Anxiety in College Students Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
By: Emily Brinks, Emily Lundeen, and Jenna Wares

Abstract:
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, anxiety levels in college students significantly increased. College students experienced rapid lifestyle changes during this time. Sedentary behavior also increased leading to a significant decrease in time spent exercising. Previous research shows exercise significantly decreased anxiety symptoms in college students before and throughout the pandemic. This cross-sectional mixed-methods exploratory study aims to discover the relationship between exercise and anxiety to inform society and universities of the impact of exercise on anxiety, as well as add to the body of literature on the relationship between exercise and college students' anxiety levels following the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenient sample of 150 Davenport University students were recruited for this study. Participants volunteered and anonymously completed a cross-sectional self-report online questionnaire titled Impact of College Students' Occupations and COVID-19 on Anxiety. The survey collected sociodemographic information and other information concerning exercise. Participants will also complete the Adults Manifest Anxiety Scale (AMAS-C) in paper form. The AMAS-C will help determine the prevalence and severity of anxiety in this population. The gathered quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed using excel software and Google survey. Qualitative data will reveal how participants perceive the impact of exercise on anxiety in their own lives. Participant privacy will be ensured by randomly assigning a number to each participant and having the participants place the AMAS-C survey into a folder. Study results will be analyzed to explore the relationship between amount of exercise and anxiety levels. It is expected that individuals who report to exercise more often throughout the week, will experience lower anxiety levels. The results of this study will assist to lessen the gap in literature concerning the relationship between exercise and anxiety following the COVID-19 pandemic. The results will inform society's awareness of the relationship between exercise and anxiety, and may encourage people to be proactive in preventing anxiety symptoms. Information from this study will also provide valuable information to universities, informing them of the benefits of exercise to reduce anxiety symptoms in college students.

Objectives:
1. Explore the relationship between exercise and anxiety in college students 2. Inform universities and society of the impact of exercise on anxiety 3. Add to the body of literature on the relationship between exercise and college students' anxiety levels following the COVID-19 pandemic

Methodology:
1. Convenient sample of 150 Davenport University students 2. Student anonymously completed the survey titled, "Impact of College Student Occupations and COVID-19 on Anxiety" and the Adults Manifest Anxiety Scale (AMAS-C) 3. Privacy ensured with randomized participant numbers and placing the AMAS-C in the specified folder 4. Survey collected qualitative and quantitative data 5. Data analyzed through Excel and Google survey