Unpacking the feel-good effect of free-time physical activity: between- and within-person associations with pleasant-activated feeling states

J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2011 Dec;33(6):884-902. doi: 10.1123/jsep.33.6.884.

Abstract

Physical activity is a widely accessible and effective tool for improving well-being. This study aimed to unpack the feel-good effects of free-time physical activity. Multilevel models were applied to repeated measures of daily free-time physical activity and four types of feeling states obtained from 190 undergraduate students. Physical activity was not associated with pleasant-deactivated, unpleasant- activated, or unpleasant-deactivated feelings. People who were more physically active overall had higher pleasant-activated feelings than people who were less physically active, and on days when people were more physically active than was typical for them, they reported higher levels of pleasant-activated feelings. Both the between- and within-person associations remained significant after controlling for day of week, sleep quality, and carryover effects of previous day free-time physical activity and feeling states. Results suggest that both increases in overall levels and acute bouts of free-time physical activity are associated with increases in feelings of pleasant-activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Documentation
  • Emotions*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Young Adult