The Effect of a Single Bout of Moderate vs. Vigorous Exercise on Mood in College Students

Abstract

The prevalence of depression is between 5-10% in adults and is the fourth most significant cause of disability in the world. It also is the second most common reported mental health disorder among college students, second to eating disorders. Research indicates that exercise is an effective intervention for depression (Blumenthal et al., 2007); however, few laboratory-based experimental studies have examined the effect of exercise on depression. The purpose of this research was to conduct an experimental study examining the effect of exercise intensity on depressed mood in college students. The study consists of undergraduate college students (n=25) self-reporting depressed mood. These students were randomly assigned to a vigorous exercise group, a moderate intensity exercise group, or a control. Depressed mood was examined before, immediately after, and 24 hours following a single bout of exercise using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The hypothesis was that participants randomly assigned to vigorous intensity exercise would have greater mood changes (in the positive direction) than participants assigned to moderate intensity exercise or the control. Results indicated no differences between the groups on pre-test to post-test changes on mood as measured by the POMS at either timepoint. Future studies should use larger sample sizes in order to better detect significant differences. Also, it would be beneficial to use a population of clinically depressed students to better determine if exercise can be used and how it should be used in the treatment of depression.