BEING WILLING to Exercise Is at Least as Important as Exercising

According to research, people with a positive attitude toward exercise benefit more, particularly psychologically, than those who are negative and unwilling. Everyone knows exercise is beneficial, but many find it difficult and painful, sometimes even a waste of effort. Is a genuinely positive attitude toward exercise really so important for physical and mental health?

Journal of Behavioral Medicine published research by psychologist Hendrik Mothes and his team. Conducted with the sports science department, it sought to demonstrate neurophysiological and psychological benefits in people beginning exercise with a positive attitude toward the activity.

Participants aged 18 to 32, totaling 76 women and men, took part in 30 minutes of cycling. Before exercise, half watched a short film describing cycling’s health benefits, while the other half watched one saying it had no positive health effect. Immediately beforehand, they were also asked whether they believed physical activity was beneficial. Participants completed physical and psychological questionnaires before and after. Finally, a researcher measured their brain activity using EEG (examination of the brain’s basic bioelectrical activity).

Results

Those who believed before exercising that cycling would benefit them enjoyed it more, their mood improved and anxiety decreased. Brain activity measurements also revealed neurophysiological differences: participants with high expectations of exercise who watched the film about cycling’s health benefits relaxed more at the neuronal level.

Starting and maintaining a positive habit or healthy lifestyle may not be easy; through our articles on healthy living , nutrition and exercise , we hope to increase your motivation. Exercise, appropriate nutrition and a social environment with positive habits will greatly contribute both to enjoying life and to physical and mental health.