Healthcare providers have recommended exercise as a way to boost mood for many years. Despite exercise's reputation as a mood booster, there have previously been no studies to indicate exercise could treat negative feelings other than depression. A new study, released at the American College of Sports Medicine's 57th Annual Meeting, reported that exercise may also reduce or even prevent anger. This is exciting news, as managing anger is a problem we all face, whether with family, coworkers, or strangers.
Researchers studied the effect of viewing anger-inducing scenes in college-age men. Study participants watched the scenes both before and after cycling at 65 percent of their maximum oxygen uptake. Researchers found that viewing the scenes after cycling prevented the study participants from feeling angry. Researchers determined anger response by measuring brain activity and self-reported feels of anger by study participants.
Nathaniel Thom, Ph.D., stress physiologist and lead investigator on the study, equated the finding to taking a daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack. He would like to see additional studies to determine the effects of a long-term exercise program on anger as well as the effect of exercise on anger using other types of anger-induction.
While occasional feelings of anger are normal, chronic anger has a negative effect on health. Chronic anger can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. In addition to improving your health, managing and controlling anger can improve your relationship with others. This study indicates that regular exercise may be one way to manage anger and reduce angry responses.
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