Be Active and Become Happy: An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Physical Activity and Mood

Abstract

The positive effects of physical activity on mood are well documented in crosssectional studies. To date there have been only a few studies analyzing withinsubject covariance between physical activity and mood in everyday life. This study aims to close this gap using an ambulatory assessment of mood and physical activity. Thirteen participants completed a standardized diary over a 10-week period, resulting in 1,860 measurement points. Valence, energetic arousal, and calmness are the three subscales of mood that were assessed. Participants rated their mood promptly after self-selected activities. A multilevel analysis indicates that the three dimensions of mood were positively affected by episodes of physical activity, such as walking or gardening-valence: t(12) = 5.6, p < .001; energetic arousal: t(12) = 2.4, p = .033; calmness: t(12) = 2.8, p = .015. Moreover, the association is affected by the individual baseline mood level, with the greatest effect seen when mood is depressed.

Autonomous Regulation Mode Moderates the Effect of Actual Physical Activity on Affective States: An Ambulant Assessment Approach to the Role of Self-Determination

“…Regarding the effect of aPA on affective states, we show that the more our subjects were physically active, the more they felt well (valence), awake (energetic arousal), but agitated (calmness [-]). Earlier studies have already demonstrated that even unstructured lifestyle physical activities of low-to-moderate intensities can positively affect a person's affective state (Kanning & Schlicht, 2010). Similarly to our study, these authors have assessed data during real-life situations.…”

“…This gave us the opportunity to question participants even in the course of ongoing physical activities. Maybe the relaxing effects (calmness [+]) of aPA, as reported in the study of Kanning and Schlicht (2010), appear only after a time delay when the direct experience of having been physically active has been reevaluated. Future studies should assess the association of aPA and sense of calm in more detail by using different time lags.…”

The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Satisfaction in American College Students

“…Based on this study, happiness and satisfaction were among the variables that were most highly linked with regular physical activity. The possible reason is that physical activity has positive impacts on individual mood and emotional state [25]. For instance, a study has shown that physically active people show positive emotions, including excitement, enthusiasm, and happiness [26]; 10-15 minutes of vigorous walking can help enhance individual mood states [27].…”

Persuasive and engaging design of a Smartphone App for cycle commuting

“…However, the change of this kind is consequences of everyday decisions that assemble over time. Previous research has identified social influences and supports play a critical role in encouraging and retaining the change [1,2]. Can the pervasiveness and technological capabilities of smartphones be designed to enable the change and if so, how to leverage the materialities of smartphones to embody the social effect on motivating people for cycle commuting?…”