Which of the following types of stress best describes anxiety a student experiences before participating in a fitness test?

The type of stress that best describes the anxiety a student experiences before participating in a fitness test is distress. Distress refers to negative stress that can lead to feelings of anxiety, worry, and concern. This type of stress can motivate individuals to perform but often does so at the cost of mental well-being or performance due to overwhelming feelings.

In contrast, eustress is a positive form of stress that can enhance performance and motivation, but it is typically associated with activities that are perceived as enjoyable or exciting. Physical stress refers to the body’s response to physical demands, which is not specifically related to the mental anxiety experienced before a test. The fight or flight stress response is a physiological reaction to perceived danger or threat, which may contribute to feelings of anxiety but is not the most accurate label for the ongoing concern a student feels leading up to a challenge like a fitness test. Therefore, distress is the most appropriate characterization of this anxiety.