Physical Activity and Mental Well-being

Stephanie L. Cooper, PhD, ACSM-CEP, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of San Francisco, will be discussing the benefits of physical activity on mental well-being at ACSM’s Internal Health and Fitness Summit this year. In the article, “Promoting Physcial Activity for Mental Well-Being,” Cooper discusses the chronic and acute effects of exercise on mental health. Regular exercise over time reduces the risk of developing mood and anxiety disorders while single bouts of exercise can immediately ameliorate acute psychological disturbances (i.e. reductions in anger, confusion, sadness, and tension following a single bout of exercise).

ACSM’s recommended guidelines for exercise is a total of 150 minutes of moderate to vigrorous-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes for vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Cooper sites that several experiments have shown that high-intensity aerobic exercise has been found to be more effective than low-intensities in alleviating psychological disturbances. The research supports that engaging in shorter bouts of exercise at higher intensities over time has a strong influence on psychological functioning.

Getting started on any exercise routine is not easy and requires planning and commitment. My work in the mental health field understands that individuals with existing mental health issues, who would benefit most from exercise, are often the least likely to get started. Mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, often hinder the key psychological characteristics to feel motivated to exercise! Let me help by introducing physical activity to your lifestyle in a meaningful and intentional way.