Short v. Long term Mental Effects of Exercise
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Psychiatric Symptoms
In a 14-month trial examining the psychological effects of aerobic exercise, those who were diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reported a reduction in their psychiatric symptoms (Blumenthal et al., 1991). While this cannot be generalized for all mental disorders or for everyone with OCD, it is important to consider the prescription of exercise when managing mental illnesses.
Short Term
Long Term
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Mood Enhancement
Whether it's a light jog or a rigorous workout, people who participate in various forms of physical activity found themselves to be in a better mood afterwards. Exercising results in blood circulation, which may influence parts of the brain such as the limbic system -- the area that impacts motivation and mood (Sharma, Madaan, & Petty, 2006).
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Memory recall
After participating in a physical activity program, middle-school students were given a set of words and were asked to recall words from the list. Results from the study found that physical activity has a positive effect on short-term memory recognition (Pesce et. al, 2009).
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Self-Esteem
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Reaction Time
Reaction time is a form of measurement our minds produce to exert alertness in both on a day-to-day basis and in life threatening situations. In sports, reaction time is crucial in making important decisions in the game. It was found that when energy was more exerted, there was more attention being utilized to carry out that action (Brisswalter, Collardeau, & René, 2002).
New information is constantly being updated about the effectiveness of exercise on reducing the risk of brain-related diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease. Nonetheless, studies comprising of people at risk of Alzheimer's showed a modest improvement in cognition over from an 18-month follow-up, after being prescribed a physical activity program for around 6 months (Lautenschlager et al., 2008).
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Reduces Age-Related
Cognitive Decline
Rome wasn't built in one day, nor is self-esteem. As much as it would be nice to miraculously wake up one day and feel confident in ourselves for the rest of our lives, that is far from the case. In reality, many of us struggle with self-respect and self-love, and it's going to be a work in progress. One way to help improve your self-esteem is through exercise. Participants in a study assessed their self-esteem prior to and after the exercise test. Results showed that participants scored higher levels of self-esteem (Dilorenzo et al., 1999). If people saw changes in their physical appearance, it could be one of the possible explanations to the higher level of self-esteem compared to before their exercise.
References
Blumenthal, J. A., Emery, C. F., Madden, D. J., Schniebolk, S., Walsh-Riddle, M., George, L. K., & Coleman, R. E. (1991). Long-term effects of exercise on psychological functioning in older men and women.
Journal of Gerontology, 46(6), P361.
Brisswalter, J., Collardeau, M., & René, A. (2002). Effects of acute physical exercise characteristics on cognitive performance. Sports Medicine, 32(9), 555-566.
Dilorenzo, T. M., Bargman, E. P., Stucky-Ropp, R., Brassington, G. S., Frensch, P. A., & Lafontaine, T. (1999). Long-term effects of aerobic exercise on psychological outcomes. Preventive Medicine, 28(1), 75-85.
Pesce, C., Crova, C., Cereatti, L., Casella, R., & Bellucci, M. (2009). Physical activity and mental performance in preadolescents: Effects of acute exercise on free-recall memory. Mental Health and Physical
Activity, 2(1), 16-22.
Roig, M., Skriver, K., Lundbye-Jensen, J., Kiens, B., & Nielsen, J. B. (2012). A single bout of exercise improves motor memory (acute exercise and memory. PLoS One, 7(9), e44594.
Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 8(2), 106.