Physical activity and emotion regulation: Walking to regulate experimentally induced negative affect

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of a 10 minute brisk walk on the affective state of young adults following the induction of negative affect (Velten Mood Induction). One hundred and ten undergraduate students (37 male, 73 female) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: (a) a walk group (n=37), (b) a cognitive distraction group (n=36), and (c) a control group in which participants sat quietly (n=37). Valence and arousal of affect were measured by the Self Assessment Manikin (SAM) and the Activation Deactivation Adjective Checklist (AD ACL) over time. A 3 (group) by 3 (time) ANCOVA revealed that the walk group had significantly higher scores on arousal, energetic arousal and tense arousal than the other groups. The findings suggest that if you feel a little upset a short (10 minute) walk may help you feel better.