Using objective measures to evaluate the role of physical activity as a compensatory mechanism of emotion regulation

Both emotion regulation and physical activity are associated with improved emotional well-being, including high self-esteem. However, most prior work comparing this relationship is limited by either subjective bias or ecological validity. Using objective (i.e., accelerometer-derived) measures of physical activity, this study investigated the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and two trait emotion regulation strategies. We predicted that trait reappraisal (i.e., the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal to regulate emotions in daily life), but not trait suppression (i.e., the habitual use of expressive suppression to regulate emotions in daily life), would be associated with higher engagement in MVPA. We also predicted that physical activity would buffer reliance on trait reappraisal, such that individuals who engaged in more MVPA would be less likely to report emotion regulation difficulties or low self-esteem. Participants (N = 251 adults, ages 17-88 years) filled out questionnaires assessing trait emotion regulation, emotion regulation difficulties, and self-esteem, and wore an ActiGraph® on their non-dominant wrist for one week (M(SD) = 7.46(2.32) days). Regression and moderation analyses were conducted on variables of interest. Neither trait reappraisal nor suppression were associated with MVPA. MVPA significantly moderated the negative relationship between trait reappraisal and emotion regulation difficulties, such that the relationship was stronger at lower levels of MVPA. Effects were not found with self-esteem or trait suppression. These results indicate that MVPA may be beneficial in maintaining emotional well-being, particularly in the face of emotion regulation difficulties.