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Varying the intensity of acute exercise: implications for changes in affect
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801, USA.
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Aerobic exercise at 55-70% VO2max improves mood by reducing state anxiety and increasing positive affect. Higher intensity exercise (70% VO2max) showed a greater sustained increase in positive feelings.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sport Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Limited understanding of how exercise intensity influences affective responses.
- Affective responses are crucial for exercise adherence and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of varying exercise intensities on state anxiety (SA), positive affect (energetic arousal; EA), and negative affect (tense arousal; TA).
Main Methods:
- Twenty participants completed three conditions: control, cycling at 55% VO2max, and cycling at 70% VO2max.
- Affect measures were collected before, during, and after a 30-minute exercise or control period.
- Random assignment to conditions ensured unbiased comparison.
Main Results:
- State anxiety increased during exercise at both intensities, with a significant post-exercise reduction only at 70% VO2max.
- Positive affect (energetic arousal) increased during exercise and remained elevated post-exercise for both intensities.
- The increase in positive affect was more pronounced and sustained following the 70% VO2max condition.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic exercise within the 55-70% VO2max range effectively reduces negative feelings like state anxiety.
- Exercise at these intensities also enhances positive affect (energetic arousal).
- Evidence suggests that exercise intensity may modulate the magnitude and duration of these affective changes.