The effect of jogging on satisfaction in marriage

Typescript (photocopy).The benefits of jogging have been reported in numerous studies. The benefits of jogging include physiological improvements, increased self-esteem, self -image, individual well being, and self-concept; and decreased anxiety and depression. No study has yet emerged which seeks to measure the effects jogging has on the marital relationship. The present study examined the level of marital satisfaction across four distinct groups (both partners jogged, only the husband jogged, only the wife jogged, and neither partner jogged). Each couple in the study was married for at least one year and each individual classified as a jogger had to jog at least 10 miles a week. The subjects for this study volunteered in response to a newspaper ad and flyers. The Marital Satisfaction Inventory (Roach, 1975) was administered to each individual studied. A group-by-trials analysis of variance and Scheffe's Tests were conducted and showed a significant difference between groups. The study has shown that when you combine the satisfaction scores of both the husband and wife the families where only the wife jogged are significantly less satisfied with their marriages than the other groups. The husbands of wives in the "wives only jog" group were more unhappy than the husbands of wives in the other three groups. And finally, the wives in the "husband only jogs" group were significantly less happy than their spouses