Both Exercise And Socialization Influence Acute Changes In Mood Parameters

PURPOSE: Mood is correlated with exercise; with even acute bouts of exercise improving mood profiles. However, many factors may influence mood. It has been observed that those exercising in groups >3 individuals over 12 weeks experienced greater mood-related benefits than those training in smaller groups (≤3 individuals), raising a question of how socialization influences the mood-related benefits of exercise. Monitoring training rather than acute effects may obfuscate other confounding variables within participants’ lives. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess how exercise and/or socialization acutely influence mood. METHODS: Healthy participants (18-45 years old) were recruited from CUNY college campuses. After assessing VO2max, participants completed all sessions: no-exercise / no-socialization, no-exercise with socialization, exercise / no-socialization, or exercise with socialization; in a randomized order. Exercise was performed on a treadmill, with sessions lasting 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute recovery period. Control sessions were sedentary, but matched for duration. During exercise, participants maintained their heart rate (HR) within five beats-per-minute of 50% of their HR reserve. Before and after each study session, participants completed a Profile Of Mood States and State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to study main effects of Exercise and Socialization. RESULTS: There were significant differences in HR between exercise and control sessions (p < 0.001) with no significant difference between socialization and no-socialization sessions (p = 0.108). There were significant decreases in hostility following both exercise ~6% (p = 0.012) and socialization ~6% (p = 0.012), with a significant interaction (p = 0.011). Confusion was significantly decreased following socialization ~1% (p = 0.025), but not exercise (p = 0.072). There were significant reductions in total mood disturbance and anxiety following exercise ~2 & 1% (p = 0.033, p < 0.01) and/or socialization ~1 & 1% (p = 0.018, p < 0.01), with a significant interaction (p = 0.019, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it appears that exercise and socialization both acutely influence mood. However, exercise alone, or socialization alone, may not provide the same mood benefits of including both.