ABSTRACT

Although it is well known that exercise reduces depressive symptoms, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. This experimental study examined the acute effect of exercise on mood, and depressotypic memory bias and state rumination. Trait rumination was tested as a possible moderator. A sample of non-regular exercisers (N = 100) was randomized to exercise or rest. After a negative mood induction, the exercise condition cycled for 24 min at moderate intensity, while the rest condition rested. Negative and overgeneral memory bias, as well as positive and negative affect were assessed after exercise/rest. To capture the lingering of negative mood and state rumination, both were assessed multiple times throughout the study. The exercise (as compared to rest) condition reported more positive affect. However, no differences were found on overgeneral memory bias, as well as depression-specific mood or state rumination measured throughout the study. Interestingly, the exercise condition showed more negative memory bias at higher levels of rumination. Individual differences in trait rumination moderated the exercise—memory bias relation, such that exercise increased negative memory bias at higher levels of rumination. It is possible that long-term exercise protocols are necessary to change cognitive processes related to depression.

摘要

尽管众所周知运动可以减轻抑郁症状，但潜在的心理机制仍不清楚。这项实验研究检查了运动对情绪、抑郁型记忆偏差和状态反刍的急性影响。特质反刍作为一种可能的调节剂进行了测试。非常规锻炼者样本 ( N = 100) 被随机分配到运动或休息组。在消极情绪诱导后，运动条件以中等强度循环 24 分钟，而休息条件则休息。在运动/休息后评估消极和过度一般的记忆偏差，以及积极和消极的影响。为了捕捉挥之不去的消极情绪和沉思状态，在整个研究过程中对两者进行了多次评估。运动（与休息相比）条件报告了更积极的影响。然而，在整个研究过程中测量的过度一般记忆偏差以及抑郁症特定情绪或状态反刍没有发现差异。有趣的是，运动条件在更高水平的反刍中表现出更多的负面记忆偏差。特质反思的个体差异缓和了运动记忆偏差关系，这样一来，运动会在更高水平的反刍中增加负面记忆偏差。长期锻炼方案可能是改变与抑郁症相关的认知过程所必需的。