Abstract:

Physical activity might not only improve physical health, but also can have a positive and clinically meaningful influence on affect. A growing body of research has detailed the beneficial relation of physical activity and affect. Overall, the extant literature suggests that physical activity might be related to more positive affect and higher satisfaction with life. Regular physical activity such as aerobic exercise also may be an effective way to reduce negative emotion and emotional disorders symptoms. There is little evidence for interaction between activity types, exercise intensity and training frequency. The biological and cerebral mechanisms of affective responses also remain plausible. Future researcher should take into account the factors such as interpersonal and intrapersonal differences in affective responses, the connection between affective responses and brain function, to further enhance our understanding of physical activity and affect.

Key words: physical activity, emotion, mental health, brain mechanism