BASES supplement abstracts

Abstract

Background: A considerable amount of literature
attests to the benefits associated with regular exercise
on physiological well being (Berlin & Colditz, 1990:
Am J Epidemiol 32, 62–628). However despite this
many people do not partake in the minimum
recommended amount of exercise (30 minutes per
day a minimum of five times per week) (ACSM,
2007: Guidelines for exercise testing and prescription).
There is now recognition within exercise
psychology literature of immediate improvements
in mood state following aerobic exercise, which may
bode well for attracting the sedentary population.
Despite this there is scant research investigating the
effects of perceived exertion on the mood changes
associated with exercise.
Purpose: This study was designed to examine the
effect of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) on the
relationship between exercise and mood, in a natural
exercise setting.
Method: Thirty participants consisting of 24
males and 6 females completed a one mile run, the
positive and negative affect scale (PANAS) was
administered before and after exercise to give pre
and post scores for both positive and negative mood.
Rating of perceived exertion was also reported after
exercise using Borg’s perceived exertion scale and
participants were separated into high, medium and
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low groups based on their (RPE) score. 263
(Time6RPE group) mixed analysis of variance,
with repeated measures on the first factor, examined
the effects of exercise on positive mood subject to
(RPE) group.
Results: Overall participants reported significant
improvements in both positive and negative mood
state in response to exercise; the high (RPE) group
demonstrated the greatest improvements in positive
mood whereas the moderate (RPE) group demonstrated
the greatest improvements in negative mood.
Discussion: This study demonstrates that an
acute bout of aerobic exercise can facilitate improvements
in both positive and negative mood. The
findings have implications for the prescription of
exercise designed to maximize mood improvement
and thus capitalize on the improvement to subsequently
improve exercise participation and adherence.
Exercise programs may wish to encourage
participants to work at a moderate to high level of
exertion.
Conclusion: The results also have implications
for clinical psychologists giving more support for
exercise as an effective treatment for depression.
Future research should focus on establishing a
correlation between people who experience improved
mood in response to exercise and subsequent
exercise adherence.