An examination of the effects of distress intolerance and rating of perceived exertion on changes in mood and anxiety following aerobic exercise among treatment-seeking smokers

ABSTRACT

Aerobic exercise is frequently used as an intervention for depression and smoking cessation because of its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Distress intolerance (DI) is a proposed individual difference factor that, coupled with a higher rating of perceived exertion during exercise, may significantly impact the acute mood and anxiolytic effects of exercise. The current study examined the interactive effect of maximum rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and DI on change in mood and anxiety. Treatment-seeking smokers (M_age = 45.32; 72% female) with elevated depressive symptoms completed a 1-mile treadmill walk at their preferred intensity and self-reported their RPE during the test. Analyses were conducted to examine whether there was an interactive effect of maximum RPE and DI on change in self-reported mood and anxiety from before to after the walk test. Findings indicate a significant moderating effect of RPE at lower ratings. Individuals reporting a low maximum RPE and higher DI exhibit a greater change in mood over the course of an exercise session, whereas individuals reporting a low maximum RPE and a lower DI exhibit smaller changes in mood. These results indicate that the subjective effects of exercise within a population of cigarette smokers could be improved by tailoring exercise intensity to individual characteristics. Mild to moderate-intensity exercise, as compared to high-intensity exercise, may result in greater changes in mood for individuals endorsing difficulty tolerating affective and physical distress.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise
• depression
• distress intolerance
• perceived exertion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author’s contributions

All authors independently contributed to the development of this manuscript.

Availability of data and material

Data is not available in the repository.

Declarations of interest

Dr. Richard A. Brown has equity ownership in Health Behavior Solutions, Inc., which is developing products for tobacco cessation that are not related to this study. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of Texas at Austin in accordance with its policy on objectivity in research. Dr. Uebelacker’s spouse works for AbbVie Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Price has received royalties from OCDScales; received grant support from NIH; served as a consultant to Wiley, Springer, University of Texas (Austin), and Fordham University; and served as a data safety monitoring board member for Baylor University, Cleveland Clinic, Clexio Biosciences, and Worldwide Clinical Trials.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute [R01CA173551] awarded to the last author.