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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Physical Activity Increases after an Affectively Arousing Daily Life Event.
Michael H Pollak1, J Ryan Hart1
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, TulsaOK, USA.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 2, 2017
Summary
Stressful situations increase physical activity, such as restless movement. This study found that professors engaged in more standing, stepping, and posture changes after lectures compared to non-lecture days, linking affective arousal to increased physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychophysiology
- Human Movement Analysis
Background:
- Structured physical activity influences affective states.
- Interest is growing in the link between daily life physical activity and emotions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if stressful daily situations, like lectures, increase physical activity.
- To determine if affective arousal from stress leads to restless movement.
Main Methods:
- Compared physical activity of 25 professors post-lecture versus a non-lecture workday.
- Used actigraphy to measure standing/stepping times, steps, and posture transitions.
- Assessed subjective arousal to confirm higher levels during lectures.
Main Results:
- Professors showed higher energetic and tense arousal after lectures.
- Increased standing and stepping time (up time) observed in the 20 minutes post-lecture.
- More steps and posture transitions occurred after lectures compared to control periods.
Conclusions:
- Stressful situations eliciting affective arousal increase physical activity, specifically restless movement.
- Affective responses to stress are significant factors in daily physical activity levels.
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