Activity of autonomic nervous system and the psychological effects after exercise

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the autonomic nervous system activity and the psychological effects immediately after a single bout of exercise performed at different intensities. Indexes of autonomic nervous system function and psychological effects were measured through a frequency analysis of heart rate variability and the Japanese version of the short form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Nineteen healthy adults participated in this study as subjects who were divided into two groups with different programs. Exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer at an intensity of 30% or 60% of the target heart rate calculated by using Karvonen's formula. We compared the index values before and immediately after the single bout of exercise. The results of the comparison between before and after the exercise indicated that parasympathetic nerve index significantly increased at 30% exercise intensity. The scores for tension-anxiety and depression in the POMS significantly decreased at 30% exercise intensity. These findings suggest that a single bout of low level intensity exercise may immediately contribute to the activation of parasympathetic nervous function and improvement in moods.