Exercise and Mental Health

• PHYSIOLOGICAL explanations:

  • Endorphin hypothesis- Steinberg & Sykes found sustained physical activity releases endorphins which are natural pain relievers in the brain. This produces a feel good effect and lead to an improvement in mood.
  • Monoamine hypothesis- exercise boosts levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters that are known to be associated with depression and anxiety. Depression is linked with diminished levels of these transmitters.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL explanations (Peluso & de Andrades)

  • distraction hypothesis- exercise shifts attention away from symptoms and their origins allowing an individual relief from the cognitive aspects of mental illness
  • self efficacy hypothesis- exercise provides a challenge for the individual who if they successfully take it on therefore feel better about themselves
  • social interaction hypothesis- Improved social support and developing positive new relationships through joint engagement with exercise improves coping ability
• POMS

  For each item there is a five point likert scale for an individual to say how they have been feeling in relation to the item. Lower skulls indicate a more positive mood state. POMS can produce a total mood disturbance score (TMD).
• LEWIS

  Aim- to see the effect of dance on mood in the elderly across a long and short cycle.

  Method- the elderly with Parkinson’s disease were age match with controls who were carers/spouses of those with Parkinson’s. They all attended 10 weeks of dance classes with a different dance being alone every two weeks. Before the first class and after the last they all completed the POMS.

  Results- all participants had a more positive POMS score after the 10 week dance classes and anger in particular was reduced.
• APPLICATION - Dance

  Exercise in the form of dance has benefits for mental health which is shown in the key research as it improved the mood in the elderly and individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
• APPLICATION - Cardio-vascular exercise

  Bartholomew

  Tested whether a single session of moderately intensive exercise would improve mood in patients with a diagnosis of major depression. 40 participants were randomly assigned to either 30 minutes of quiet rest or 30 minutes of treadmill exercise and then completed a POMS. Both groups reported a decline in anger, confusion and fatigue but only the exercise group reported improved well-being and energy.
• APPLICATION - Green exercise

  Peacock

  20 participants aged 31 to 70 took part in walks in a woodland and a shopping centre. Before and after POMS questionnaires were completed. Total mood disturbance improved massively in the outdoor walking group.