Background and purpose: Every year, a large number of students suffer from depression. One of the best methods of treatment, the effects of which have been proven in past researches, is the use of exercise, especially bodybuilding. In fact, sports movements are a type of behavioral intervention (behavioral therapy) that reduce the symptoms of depression in a person. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loss of someone or something desired, or anger that interferes with a person's daily activities and is relatively common. Self-confidence or self-confidence is considered to be a psychological characteristic of all people, in which a person trusts and believes in his abilities and talents to do things successfully due to previous experiences. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of physical exercise on reducing depression and increasing self-confidence in male students of Kerman.
Research method: This research was of semi-experimental type and pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all students referred to the counseling center of Shahid Bahonar University in Kerman city with a diagnosis of depression. Subjects were collected based on referral to the counseling center and by calling the counseling center. Then, 50 people were selected from among them using available sampling method and randomly replaced in two experimental groups (25 people) and control group (25 people). Then, the experimental group was supervised for 4 weeks of exercise in the university club, and the control group did not receive any exercise intervention. Both groups completed a pre-test and a post-test. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software by multivariate covariance method.
Findings: The findings of the research showed that physical education has been able to significantly (p>0.05) increase the level of self-confidence in students and significantly (p>0.07) reduce the symptoms of depression in students. . Also, other results of the research showed that the use of physical exercise due to preventing inactivity and creating high motivation in students can be effective in reducing common disorders in students and treating disorders due to the release of hormones needed by the body. to have
Conclusion: The results of this research can be used in the field of treating common disorders of students by using common sports and using other counseling centers of universities and therapists.