Exercise Psychology

Exercise appears to be associated with positive changes in mood states if it is of sufficient duration and intensity.

Acute Effects of Exercise on Anxiety

  • Aerobic exercise is associated with more consistent reductions in state anxiety than anaerobic exercise.
  • Reductions in state anxiety after exercise may not be due to the physical activity but to the “time out” from daily stress and hassles.
  • Exercise intensity of at least 70% of maximal heart rate appears to be associated with the greatest reduction in postexercise state anxiety.
  • Postexercise reductions in state anxiety return to preexercise anxiety levels within 24 hours.
  • Exercise is associated with reductions in muscle tension.

Exercise and Depression

  • Regular exercise has been shown to be related to long term decreases in depression.
  • The greater the total number of exercise sessions, the greater the decrease in depression
  • Exercise intensity is not related to changes in depression.
  • The longer the exercise program, the greater the reduction in depression.
  • The total exercise time per week is not related to changes in depression.
  • Exercise seems most helpful in relieving depression for subjects who are clinically depressed as opposed to “normal”.

Chronic Exercise and Mental Health

  • Physical fitness is positively associated with mental health and well being.
  • Exercise is associated with the reduction of stress emotions such as state anxiety.
  • Anxiety and depression are common symptoms of failure to cope with mental stress, and exercise has been associated with a decreased level of mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
  • Long term exercise is usually associated with reductions in traits such as neuroticism and anxiety.
  • Severe depression usually requires professional treatment, which may include medication, electroconvulsive therapy, and/or psychotherapy, with exercise as an adjunct.
  • Appropriate exercise results in reductions in various stress indexes such as neuromuscular tension, resting heart rate, and some stress hormones.
  • Current clinical opinion holds that exercise has beneficial emotional effects across ages and genders.
  • Physically healthy people who require psychotropic medication may safely exercise under close medical supervision.

The Runner’s High

The runners high is a euphoric sensation, usually unexpected, of heightened well being, enhanced appreciation of nature, and transcendence of time and space. It requires rhythmic, long-lasting, and uninterrupted activity.

How Exercise Enhances Psychological Well-Being

Distraction Hypothesis – Distraction from stressful events rather than the activity itself accounts for the improved feelings associated with exercise.

Endorphin Hypothesis – Produced in the brain, pituitary gland, and other tissue, they reduce the sensation of pain and produce a state of euphoria.

Exercise Addiction

  • Addiction to exercise is a psychological and/or physiological dependence on a regular regimen of exercise characterised by withdrawal symptoms after 24 to 36 hours without exercise.
  • A positive addiction occurs when exercise promotes psychological strength and increased life satisfaction.
  • A negative addiction occurs in a small percentage of people when exercise controls their lives and eliminates other life choices.
  • Exercise addicts who are forced to stop running for a while often become depressed, anxious, and extremely irritable.

Exercise and Changes in Personality and Cognitive Functioning

  • Some studies show that exercise produces higher levels of self-confidence, greater feelings of control, improved imagination, and a greater sense of self-sufficiency. Overall the research is inconclusive and more study is needed in this area.
  • Changes in the body as a result of physical fitness training can alter one’s body image and thus enhance self-concept.
  • Hardiness is a personality style that enables a person to withstand or cope with stressful situations. A hardy personality and exercise in combination are more effective in preserving health than either one alone.
  • Physical fitness level is critical in determining whether exercise will be beneficial or detrimental to mental functioning (fatigue offsets the value).

Running provides a natural, practical, inexpensive and time-efficient adjunct to traditional psychotherapies.

Although exercise appears to offer some psychological benefits, it certainly should not be used in all cases of depression, stress, or other emotional disorders. Obese people, those with severe heart disease, or those with high blood pressure that can not be controlled by medication should not use it. Exercise may also be contraindicated for the severely depressed and those with a tenuous contact with reality or suicidal tendencies.

Exercise Adherence

Reasons for Exercise

  1. Weight control
  2. Reduced risk of hypertension
  3. Reduction in stress and depression
  4. Enjoyment
  5. Building self-esteem
  6. Socialisation

Excuses for Not Exercising

  1. Lack of time
  2. Lack of knowledge about fitness
  3. Lack of facilities
  4. Fatigue

Personal Factors That Influence Exercise Adherence

  • Exercise history
  • Knowledge and beliefs in the health benefits of exercise
  • Personality

Situational Factors That Influence Exercise Adherence

  • Social support
  • Convenience of exercise facility
  • Time
  • Climate or region

Behavioural Factors That Influence Exercise Adherence

  • Smoking
  • Occupation and income
  • Programmatic factors
  • Exercise intensity
  • Group or individual program
  • Qualities of the exercise leader

Strategies to Enhance Adherence to Exercise

Emotional Approaches

  1. Prompts (a cue that initiates a behaviour)
  1. Sign a statement of intent
  1. Perceived choice (a choice of activities)

Reinforcement Approaches

  1. Rewards for attendance and participation
  1. Feedback
  1. Self-monitoring/self-reward

Goal Setting and Cognitive Approaches

Martin, et. al. (1984) found that flexible goals that participants set themselves resulted in better attendance and 3-month maintenance of exercise behaviour than did fixed instructor set goals. People who dissociate have significantly better attendance than those who associate.

Association is a focus on internal body feedback (how their muscles feel or their breathing).

Dissociation is a focus on the external environment (how pretty the scenery is).

Involving people in deciding on a program’s structure can improve long-term participation.

Guidelines for Improving Exercise Adherence

  1. Make the exercise enjoyable.
  1. Tailor the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise.
  1. Promote exercise with a group.
  1. Suggest keeping daily exercise logs.
  1. Reinforce success.
  1. Find a convenient place to exercise.
  1. Use music.