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Background. To investigate, based on biopsychological arousal theory, the influence of physical activity intensity on biopsychological, affective and cognitive function.
Methods. Design: repeated measures experiment involving one control and three treatment conditions. Setting: controlled laboratory environment. Participants: twenty-one (of 27 volunteers) non-contraindicated females (55-65 years) recruited from general community and university populations completed the study. Interventions: data collection proceeded in four counterbalanced test-sessions including control (zero resistance), light (45 % VO^sub 2max^), moderate (60 % VO^sub 2max^), and high intensity (75%VO^sub 2max^) cycle ergometer interventions. In all test sessions participants cycled at 25 W for 2 min (warm-up), followed by 10 min at the allocated intensity, and then 2 min at 25 W (cool-down). Blood pressure, heart rate and RPE were determined during test sessions. Measures: energetic arousal (EA), tense arousal (TA), single dimension affect, and cognitive (reaction time-RT) responses were compared following physical activity.
Results. There was no significant difference in EA, TA, affect, or RT following zero resistance and light and moderate intensity physical activity or between light and moderate intensity physical activity. High intensity physical activity resulted in significantly lower levels of EA than light intensity physical activity, significantly higher levels of TA than zero resistance and light intensity physical activity, and significantly more negative levels of affect than either light or moderate intensity physical activity. There were no significant differences in reaction time between high intensity physical activity and any of the other intensities.
Conclusions. There was partial support for the efficacy of biopsychological arousal theory in explaining the biopsychologi
cal and affective outcomes of physical activity, but no support for the influence of physical activity on cognitive function.
KEY WORDS: Exercise psychology - Physical activity - Psychological outcomes - Biopsychological arousal theory.
Physical activity participation results in a wide range of health benefits, the most highly researched being physiological. Physical activity influences the initiation and progression of recovery from various vascular and metabolic disorders, prevents or postpones a number of musculoskeletal disorders, influences immune system function, decreasing risk for various forms of cancer,2 and modifies some aging related physiological impairments.3
Often overlooked in the programming and evaluation of physical activity, are the psychological benefits. Most exercisers report feeling better following physical activity4 and some individuals report altered states...