Using ecological momentary assessment to understand differences in associations of exercise time and psychological stress

Psychological stress puts people at risk for acute health problems (e.g., headaches, influenza), chronic illnesses (e.g., heart disease), and all-cause mortality. Evidence suggests daily exercise may help reduce stress; however, some people may benefit more from exercise than others. For example, Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) workers, who commute long distances to work and stay on-site for consecutive days/weeks experience different daily stressors (e.g., long-work hours, fatigue) from their partners at home (e.g., loneliness, additional childcare and domestic responsibilities), and from university students (e.g., studying, financial strains). The aim of our study was to determine if the daily exercise-stress association differs between these groups.