Psychogenic factors and exercise metabolism: a review

It has been recognized for many years that factors of a psychogenic nature can influence resting as well as exercise metabolism, and the primary purpose of the present review was to summarize existing evidence dealing with this topic. The review is focused primarily upon experimental evidence involving the hypnotic manipulation of metabolism, since most of the relevant literature has relied upon utilization of the hypnotic tool. Several investigations involving non-hypnotic manipulations are directly related to the general research theme, and these reports are also included in the review. Following a general overview, research involving the influence of cognition and affect on heart rate, cardiac output, forearm blood flow, respiration rate, ventilatory minute volume, and oxygen consumption at rest is considered. The following section deals with the influence of cognition and affect, as well as perception on these same physiological parameters during exercise. It is concluded that psychogenic factors representing the cognitive, affective, and perceptual domains can significantly influence resting as well as exercise metabolism.