Bonnie G. Berger

Exercise and mood: A selective review and synthesis of research employing the profile of mood states

Abstract This paper highlights the use of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) in physical activity research by reviewing and synthesizing literature generated in exercise settings. The results of many studies using the POMS have supported the relationships between exercise and acute mood changes in normal populations and between exercise and chronic mood changes in clinical populations. Based on the multitude of studies utilizing the POMS, Berger and colleagues developed a preliminary taxonomy containing enjoyment, mode, and practice guidelines to help maximize the mood benefits associated with exercise. The POMS also has been employed to identify underlying mechanisms that may promote mood alteration. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that identifies a single mechanism or group of mechanisms as consistently influencing the exercise-mood relationship. Although knowledge of the relationship between exercise and mood alteration is substantial, much remains to be studied. Promising avenues for future investigation of exercise include mood changes in specific populations, environmental influences on mood alteration, and personal characteristics impacting mood alteration.

MOOD ALTERATION WITH YOGA AND SWIMMING-AEROBIC EXERCISE MAY NOT BE NECESSARY

The mood benefits of Hatha yoga and swimming, two activities that differ greatly in aerobic training benefits, were examined. College students (N = 87) in two swimming classes, a yoga class, and a lecture-control class completed mood and personality inventories before and after class on three occasions. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated that both yoga participants (n = 22) and swimmers (n = 37) reported greater decreases in scores on Anger, Confusion, Tension, and Depression than did the control students (n = 28). The consistent mood benefits of yoga supported our earlier observation that the exercise need not be aerobic to be associated with mood enhancement. However, underlying and causal mechanisms remain uncertain. Among the men, the acute decreases in Tension, Fatigue, and Anger after yoga were significantly greater than those after swimming. Yoga may be even more beneficial than swimming for men who personally select to participate. The women reported fairly similar mood benefits after swimming and yoga. It seems that aerobic exercise may not be necessary to facilitate the mood benefits. Also, students with greater mood changes attended class more regularly than those who reported fewer psychological benefits. Maximizing the immediate psychological benefits of exercise might be one way to encourage adults to be physically active.

Subjective Well-Being in Obese Individuals: The Multiple Roles of Exercise

This paper focuses on the tangled web of obesity and exercise as it relates to subjective well-being. Many overweight individuals have low levels of subjective well-being as a reflection of anti-fat biases and sociocultural considerations. Since exercise helps balance the energy intake-output equation and is associated with mood benefits, improved self-concept and self-esteem, and decreased stress levels, it is an ideal approach for interrupting the inactivityobesity cycle. To facilitate exercise success in obese populations, however, it is important to change the perception of exercise from “should” to “want,” based on the positive psychology model. The paper concludes with a consideration of exercise enjoyment, mode, and training guidelines, which may influence the psychological benefits of physical activity and exercise adherence in overweight individuals.

Implications of a behavioral weight loss program for obese, sedentary women: a focus on mood enhancement and exercise enjoyment.

Abstract The benefits of a 6‐month behavioral weight loss program were investigated by examining mood changes after a graded exercise test (GXT), changes in exercise enjoyment, and the relation of mood and enjoyment to program success. Obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women completed a demographic questionnaire, and physical and psychological measures. Women who completed the program (n = 25) significantly decreased their body weight and body mass index and reported significantly less tension and confusion post‐GXT when measured both at the beginning and end of the program. Although their exercise enjoyment increased, their exercise‐related mood changes appeared to be independent of enjoyment. Finally, women who completed the program initially reported more positive mood changes post‐GXT than did dropouts (n = 7). In conclusion, mood alteration may be a factor leading to successful completion of a behavioral weight loss program by obese women

In the Huddle

Sport and exercise psychology has predominately focused on performance improvement; however, as the world faces issues of globesity and other chronic illnesses, we find ourselves uniquely positioned to apply our expertise and training to address these larger issues of public health relevance, that is physical activity adoption and maintenance. In fact, children and adolescents are a population most vulnerable and after-school youth sport programs can be a solution to this public health crisis. However, the number one cited reason among both girls and boys for dropping out of youth sport is that it is no longer fun. Indeed, sport and exercise psychology consultants can play a pivotal role in the promotion of physical activity and wellness at this grassroots level through the provision of applied services that address issues of participation, namely retention and attrition from youth sport. Using self-determination theory and behavioral economics as guiding theoretical frameworks, practitioners can work with youth sport participants, parents, coaches, and league administrators to foster fun, choice-driven, and rewarding sport experiences such that children and adolescents want to participate in them. This is significant because children’s physical activity and health promoting behaviors track into adulthood. Thus, as practitioners, we are uniquely qualified to act as public health stewards in the health promotion and disease prevention of children, adolescents, and families through sport.