Jex, S. M. Spector, P. E. Gudanowski, D. M., & Newman, R. A. (1991). Relations between exercise and employee responses to work stressors: A summary of two studies. Special Issue: Handbook on job stress. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6, 425-443. Abstract

Two studies examined the relationship between exercise and job-related strain. In the first, exercise was weakly related to two measures of physical strain (sick days, doctor visits) and two measures of psychological strain (job satisfaction, turnover intent). Correlations with psychological strain were in the opposite direction than predicted, however. Controlling for personality differrences had no effect on these relations. A second study was conducted in which more specific measures of exe rcise were used and the sample was more heterogeneous. Results showed that exercise was weakly related to physical strain (doctor visits) but unrelated to psychological strain. Jogging was negatively related to anxiety, although this relation was reduced by controlling for dispositional optimism. Future research on the relation between exercise and psychological outcomes was suggested. (Copyright 1991, Select Press).