THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE WITHDRAWAL ON MOOD STATES IN RUNNERS. JOURNAL OF SPORT BEHAVIOR
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise withdrawal on mood states in runners. The impact of regular exercise on psychological well-being has been well-documented, with numerous studies highlighting the positive effects of exercise on mood. However, little research has focused specifically on the consequences of exercise withdrawal, especially in individuals who engage in consistent running activities. This study aimed to fill this gap in the literature.
Participants were recruited from local running clubs and were required to have a minimum of one year of regular running experience. A total of 50 runners (30 males, 20 females) aged between 25 and 45 years were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise withdrawal group or a control group.
The exercise withdrawal group was instructed to abstain from any running or vigorous exercise for a period of two weeks. The control group was instructed to maintain their regular exercise routine. Mood states were assessed using standardized psychological questionnaires at three time points: baseline (prior to the two-week period), mid-point (one week into the withdrawal period), and post-withdrawal (two weeks after the start of the withdrawal period).
The results revealed a significant decrease in overall mood scores in the exercise withdrawal group compared to the control group at the mid-point and post-withdrawal assessments. Specifically, the withdrawal group showed higher levels of tension, depression, anger, and fatigue, and lower levels of vigor and overall mood compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the cessation of running and vigorous exercise can lead to negative changes in mood states among experienced runners.
The findings of this study have important implications for athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. Understanding the psychological consequences of exercise withdrawal can help in developing appropriate strategies to minimize the negative impact on mood during periods of exercise interruption. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential long-term effects of exercise withdrawal on mood states in runners and other active individuals.
Keywords: exercise withdrawal, runners, mood states, psychological well-being, exercise interruption
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