Psychological Benefits of Exercise
Intro:
Physical activity, in its many forms, has been shown to have many positive affects on the body and mind. The many benefits include: 1) helping to stimulate the mind, 2) increasing feelings of well being, 3) reducing cholesterol, 4) helping to regulate blood pressure, 5) reducing feelings of anxiety, 6) improving quality of life, 7) reducing symptoms of Alzheimer's and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and 8) reducing levels of visceral fat which lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes.
Many of the benefits of exercise will be discussed in the following pages as discovered in peer reviewed research studies. This paper will concentrate on the affect of exercise on the human mind and exactly how exercise helps to stimulate the brain and increase feelings of well-being. Many research applications have looked at the profound role serotonin plays in regulating mood and the affect exercise has on the body's ability to produce increased amounts of serotonin. Other research has looked at levels of phenylethylamine before and after exercise and has concluded that increased levels result in what many have termed the "runners high". This researcher believes that it is a combination of both serotonin and phenyethylamine that contribute to feelings of well being after periods of physical activity.
Body:
Regular physical activity may reduce depression and anxiety and improve mood. Exercising may even be linked with enhancing creativity and imagination. According to a study done on the affect of exercise on obese young women, exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and fosters improvements in mood and feelings of well-being. (4) In this study, 24 obese subjects completed a 26 week lifestyle modification program consisting of a hypocaloric (decreased calorie) diet in addition to moderate-intensity exercise. The subjects all had a BMI exceeding 30 but not exceeding 40. What is a BMI? BMI stands for body mass index. It is one of the main ways that the health industry
Physical activity, in its many forms, has been shown to have many positive affects on the body and mind. The many benefits include: 1) helping to stimulate the mind, 2) increasing feelings of well being, 3) reducing cholesterol, 4) helping to regulate blood pressure, 5) reducing feelings of anxiety, 6) improving quality of life, 7) reducing symptoms of Alzheimer's and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and 8) reducing levels of visceral fat which lowers the risk of developing type II diabetes.
Many of the benefits of exercise will be discussed in the following pages as discovered in peer reviewed research studies. This paper will concentrate on the affect of exercise on the human mind and exactly how exercise helps to stimulate the brain and increase feelings of well-being. Many research applications have looked at the profound role serotonin plays in regulating mood and the affect exercise has on the body's ability to produce increased amounts of serotonin. Other research has looked at levels of phenylethylamine before and after exercise and has concluded that increased levels result in what many have termed the "runners high". This researcher believes that it is a combination of both serotonin and phenyethylamine that contribute to feelings of well being after periods of physical activity.
Body:
Regular physical activity may reduce depression and anxiety and improve mood. Exercising may even be linked with enhancing creativity and imagination. According to a study done on the affect of exercise on obese young women, exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and fosters improvements in mood and feelings of well-being. (4) In this study, 24 obese subjects completed a 26 week lifestyle modification program consisting of a hypocaloric (decreased calorie) diet in addition to moderate-intensity exercise. The subjects all had a BMI exceeding 30 but not exceeding 40. What is a BMI? BMI stands for body mass index. It is one of the main ways that the health industry
References: (1) Ciccocioppo R. The role of serotonin in craving. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 1999 Jul;34(2):244-253 (2) Deitrich A, McDaniel WF. Endocannabinoids and exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2004 Oct;38(5):536-41 (3) Giacobbi PR, Hardin B, Frye N, Stegelin A, Hausenblaus H, Sears S. The relationship between exercise and daily outlook with physically disabled individuals. Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 2002 Mar-Apr;35(2):49-83 (4) Kondo T. Effect of exercise on circulating adipokine levels in obese young women. Endocrine Journal. 2006 Apr;53(2):189-95 (5) Szabo A, Billett E and Turner, J. Phenylethylamine, a possible link to the antidepressant effects of exercise? Br J Sports Med 2001, 35:342-343. (6) White LJ, McCoy SC, Castellano V, Gutierrez G, Stevens JE, Walter GA, Vanderborne K. Resistance training improves strength and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis. 2004 Dec;4(12):668-674