Body Image Relates to Exercise-Induced Antinociception and Mood Changes in Young Adults: A Randomized Longitudinal Exercise Intervention

Angelika Maurer, Sebastian Deckert, Claudia Levenig, Theresa Schörkmaier, Carolin Stangier, Ulrike Attenberger, Monika Hasenbring and Henning Boecker
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Angelika Maurer: Functional Neuroimaging Group, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Sebastian Deckert: Functional Neuroimaging Group, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Claudia Levenig: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
Theresa Schörkmaier: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 53105 Bonn, Germany
Carolin Stangier: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, 53105 Bonn, Germany
Ulrike Attenberger: Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Monika Hasenbring: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
Henning Boecker: Functional Neuroimaging Group, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Background: An important motivation for adolescents and young adults to engage in aerobic exercise (AE) is to improve fitness, body composition and physical appearance. These parameters have an impact on bodily perception as conceptualized by the ‘body image’ (BI) construct. AE is known to have positive effects on pain perception, mood, and body image (BI). However, no study has hitherto investigated their interrelationship within one study. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG, n = 16, 6 months of AE) or a passive control group (CG, n = 10). Frankfurt Body-Concept Scales (FKKS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, warmth and heat pain thresholds (WPT, HPT), pain tolerance, and graded exercise test data from baseline (T0) and the end of the intervention (T6) were analyzed using a paired t -test ( p < 0.05). Results: A significant increase in the BI dimension ‘physical efficacy’ was identified from T0 to T6, which correlated positively with PANAS Positive Affect Scale and HPT. Conclusion: Data in young adults undergoing AE indicate that changes in the BI sub-category ‘physical efficacy’ are closely linked with changes in positive affect and antinociception. These novel findings suggest that BI plays a role in antinociception and positive affect.

Keywords: body image; exercise; pain; physical efficacy; mood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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