Special Issue – Therapeutic Benefits of Physical Activity for Mood: A Systematic Review on the Effects of Exercise Intensity, Duration, and Modality

Abstract

In contemporary society, people experience considerable stress in their daily lives. Therefore, developing effective approaches and convenient means to cope with their mood problems is important nowadays. Physical activity has been consistently reported as a cost-effective way to improve physical fitness, prevent mental illnesses, and alleviate mood problems. In this systematic review, the effects of exercise intensity, duration, and modality on mood change are discussed. Results show that moderate-intensity anaerobic exercise is associated with greater mood improvements. The relationship between exercise duration and mood change is non-linear; A regime of 10- to 30-minute exercise is sufficient for mood improvements. For exercise modality, anaerobic exercise improves mood, but the efficacy of aerobic and mindfulness-related exercises remains to be further examined. In addition to the systematic review of potential moderators, a narrative review of psychological and neurophysiological theories of exercise effects on mood is provided; we have highlighted the central role of neuroplasticity in integrating the two classes of theories. An adoption of neuroimaging techniques in future research is critical to reveal the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic influence of physical activity on affective responses. Some future research directions are also raised.

Keywords:

• Anxiety
• depression
• neuropsychology
• stress and coping

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shenzhen University and the Knowledge Innovation Program of Shenzhen [JCYJ20170302143406192].

Notes on contributors

John S. Y. Chan

John S. Y. Chan is a research assistant at the Shenzhen University. His current research interests are motor control and learning, and neuroplasticity.

Guanmin Liu

Guanmin Liu holds a Ph.D. degree in Psychology (Tsinghua University). His current research interest is psychological well-being.

Danxia Liang

Danxia Liang holds a master's degree in Psychology (Shenzhen University). Her current research interest is the development of motor learning in children.

Kanfeng Deng

Kanfeng Deng is a master's student at the Shenzhen University. His current research interest is the development of motor learning in children.

Jiamin Wu

Jiamin Wu is a master's student at the Shenzhen University. Her current research interest is the development of motor control in children.

Jin H. Yan

Jin H. Yan is a professor at the Shenzhen University. His current research interests are motor control and learning, and neuroplasticity.