The Impact of General Physical Education Classes on the Characteristics, Personality, and Mental Well-Being of Female Students

Extended Abstract
Background
One way to prevent mental injuries is to identify the factors associated with it. Personality traits and mental well-being are among the most stable psychological structures, while physical activity enhances skills, knowledge, and positive attitude necessary for optimal growth, general health and experiencing happy moments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of General Physical Education Classes (GPEC) on personality traits and mental well-being of female students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUOMS).
Methods
This quasi-experimental study had a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included all female medical students at TUOMS, Tabriz, Iran. Among them, 120 people were selected through voluntary sampling and divided equally into experimental groups (those who had a GPE unit in this semester) and control (those who did not have a GPE unit). The experimental group were selected from among the students who had taken the one-credit GPEC and a total of 60 students were selected. The control group were also selected from the dormitories of TUOMS students who completed the Bernreuter Personality Questionnaire and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire in two stages (at the beginning and end of the semester). The experimental group attended weekly GPE sessions for 12 weeks, each lasting 90 minutes from 8.30 AM to 10 AM under the tutelage of a teacher. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21 was used for statistical analysis and analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) at the significance level of α <0.05.
Results
The results showed that GPEC significantly affected all six personality traits and students' mental well-being (happiness) (P=0.001). GPEC increased the traits of self-confidence, sociability, and excellence, while decreasing the traits of nervousness, introversion, and self-being of the participants. Also, the mental well-being of the experimental group increased (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Given that college life is associated with complex stresses, it is possible to cope with them and even enjoy college life by gaining psychological abilities through sports activities.
Practical Implications of Research
The results of the study indicated that GPEC improved the scores of all personality components, i.e. programs and activities, including extraversion, self-confidence, and sociality. It reduces the nervousness and excellence of students, while promotes physical and mental health. Based on the findings of this study, sports exercises can improve students’ physical and mental health. In addition, based on the findings of previous research, the determinants of mental health and personality of students, and the consideration of emerging approaches and strategies, it is anticipated that policies will be enacted to boost the productivity of university students.
Ethical Considerations
All ethical issues related to research have been considered in the study. Confidentiality of information and the right to withdraw from research have been reserved for participants at all times. Before starting the study, all participants gave their consent. They were informed about the subject and method of implementation. The personal information of the candidates was protected, and in case of any disturbances, the necessary instructions were provided to the candidates to follow up. Participation in the study had no financial burden on the participants.

Conflict of Interest
In the present study, the authors had no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank all the participants and people who contributed to the present research.