Changes in affect from mid-intensity exercise

Abstract

Making exercise more emotionally rewarding, which is related to the secretion of chemicals like cortisol and serotonin, can be an important way to increase people's continued propensity to exercise regularly, ultimately promoting better public health. This study used a four quadrant circumplex model to understand participants' emotional states during mid-intensity exercise. The study found that participants who exercised with partners and those who exercised solo had different levels of affective valence at different times before, during and after exercise. Solo participants experienced the greatest improvement in affective valence (affect) well after exercise had concluded, while partnered participants experienced the greatest improvement in affective valence during exercise. Solo participants also experienced greater strenuousness (activation) than partnered participants. Both solo and partnered participants experienced improvement in affect vis-à-vis persons who did not exercise at all, indicating that mid-intensity exercise induces positive feelings. The results indicate that the increased perception of sociality through partnered exercise increases positive emotions and decreases fatigue, presenting significant implications for development of programs to encourage regular exercise.