1. The self-reported effects of physical exercise on psychological wellbeing
Undergraduate Project by HannahMorley— Supervised by Dr. EmmaWightman
INTRODUCTION
The importanceof exercise participationis an
ongoing recommendation inthe media, as it has been
observed to play a positiverolein physical, cognitive
and psychological functions. Evidencealso supports
a role for exercisein the prevention andattenuation
of degenerative diseases likeAlzheimer's.
HOW DOES EXERCISE AFFECT WELLBEING?
An increase inaerobic activity has beenseen to
instigate endorphin release, neurotransmitters
associated with excitory effects at the synapse. This,
resultingin positivemoodeffects, andparticipants
reported to subjectively feel happier following this
exercise.
AIMS & HYPOTHESIS
Whilst research reports a positive effectof exercise
on general health, the effects onmental wellbeing
are less well researched.
The link between exercise andhealth andwellbeing
is acomplex, under-researched area and likely to be
influenced by individual differences and
undiscovered factors. This uncertainty, lentitself
well to amixedmethods approach to add richness to
the field.
It was hypothesised that those who partake in
exercisewould report asignificantly better health
and wellbeing than thosewho are abstinent to
physical activity.
METHODS
Design: A non-experimental, existing groups design
combining bothqualitativeand quantitative
methods.
Participants: 30subjects bothmale andfemales
between the ages of 18-40 were opportunistically
recruited.
Materials:Obligatory exercise questionnaire (OEQ),
wellbeing questionnaire (WHO5) and avoice
recording device wereimplemented.
Procedure: Participants carriedout both theOEQ
and the WHO5 questionnaires. If they partook in
exercise they were askedto complete avoice
recorded interviewonsubjective effects of that
exercise.Participants all gave informedconsent
and were fully debrief post-testing (See Figure 1).
See exampleinterview questions below.
Recruitment (N=30)
OEQ & WHO5
Debriefed (N=16)Interview (N=4) Debriefed (N=10)
Non-exercisersExercisers
RESULTS
Quantitative: A analysis of variancewould beusedto test
any potential differences in questionnaire ratings of
wellbeing. To obtainmore specified findings, an exploratory
analysis would then becompletedon singleitems from the
questionnaires.
Qualitative: Theproposed analysis for the data wouldbe
thematic analysis. The sixstage methodby Braun & Clarke
(2006)would befollowed to seek themes from the
transcribedinterviews whichwould enrich thefindings
overall.
DISCUSSION
Based onprevious findings, itis expected that the results of
the current study wouldsupport the conclusions that
physical exercisehas a positive effect on psychological
wellbeing.
It wouldadvance the research, by identifying subjective un-
discovered factors and the effects of individual differences.
Implications of this wouldpromote further biological
research into why the factors and individual differences are
taking place whichcouldhelp to create interventions and
treatments.
Figure 1: Participant flow chart
Debriefed (N=4)
REFERENCES
Braun, V.,& Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysisin psychology. Qualitative research
in psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
“Why didyou begin exercising initially?” - “Do youseeyourself witha lifestyle without exercise?” - “Do younotice the effects of exerciseonyour psychological wellbeing?”