The Influence of Exercise Intensity on Frontal Electroencephalographic Asymmetry and Self-Reported Affect

Abstract

The “feel better” effect of exercise has been well established, but the optimal intensity needed to elicit a positive affective response is controversial. In addition, the mechanisms underlying such a response are unclear. To clarify these issues, female undergraduate students were monitored for electroencephalographic (EEG) and self-reported affective responses during the recovery period following rest, low, moderate, and high intensities of treadmill running, each lasting 30 min. Frontal EEG asymmetry and self-reported vigor scores following exercise at all three intensities were significantly elevated compared to those observed following rest. The results suggest that steady-state aerobic exercise bouts executed at varying intensities induce a similar affective response during the recovery period when assessed at both the behavioral and psychophysiological levels.

Key words:

• affect
• brain
• emotion
• physical activity

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bradley D. Hatfield

Please address correspondence concerning this article to Bradley D. Hatfield, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742