One step at a time: Physical activity is linked to positive interpretations of ambiguity.

Maital Neta,Karsten Koehler,Safiya E Beckford,Daniel J Henley,Nicholas R Harp,Anne Vuillemin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225106

Abstract

BackgroundExtensive research has established a clear positive relationship between physical activity (PA), even in small amounts, and psychological well-being, including benefits for emotional and mental health (e.g., decreased depression). However, little research has examined the relationship between PA and decision-making within emotionally ambiguous contexts. The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between reported amount and intensity of PA and interpretations of emotional ambiguity.MethodsAdults (n = 611) recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk were assessed on their interpretations of ambiguous and clear (unambiguous) emotional stimuli and reported habitual PA and exercise.ResultsMore positive ratings of ambiguity were associated with greater amount of vigorous activity (p = .002), but not with moderate activity (p = .826) or walking (p = .673). Subsequent analyses demonstrated that this relationship between vigorous PA and positive interpretations of ambiguity was most pronounced when comparing individuals who reported any amount of vigorous PA to those who reported no vigorous activity at all.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher amounts of vigorous, but not moderate, PA are associated with more positive interpretations of ambiguity, and that even small amounts of PA seem to be sufficient to promote this more positive valence bias when compared to individuals conducting no vigorous PA at all. Future work should examine the longitudinal effects of PA among individuals participating in structured activity programs.

Highlights

The beneficial effects of a physically active lifestyle are well documented [1]
Subsequent analyses demonstrated that this relationship between vigorous physical activity (PA) and positive interpretations of ambiguity was most pronounced when comparing individuals who reported any amount of vigorous PA to those who reported no vigorous activity at all
Our findings suggest that higher amounts of vigorous, but not moderate, PA are associated with more positive interpretations of ambiguity, and that even small amounts of PA seem to be sufficient to promote this more positive valence bias when compared to individuals conducting no vigorous PA at all

Summary

Introduction

Extensive research has examined the favorable impact of habitual physical activity (PA) and exercise (i.e., a specific subset of PA with the goal of improving or maintaining health- or skill-related physical fitness [2]) on both cognitive control [3,4] and emotional well-being [5,6,7,8]. Research related to PA more broadly has found that greater frequency of PA is associated with better inhibition (i.e., faster responses in a flanker task of attention; [10]), and more intense PA has been linked to better overall cognitive function, including better performance on measures of processing speed, memory, and mental flexibility [14]. Extensive research has established a clear positive relationship between physical activity (PA), even in small amounts, and psychological well-being, including benefits for emotional and mental health (e.g., decreased depression). The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between reported amount and intensity of PA and interpretations of emotional ambiguity

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Discussion

Conclusion