Indiana University research at the American College of Sports Medicine annual ...(can be reached a cltroxel@indian ....),Health

A unique study by Indiana University researchers found that physical activity throughout the day -- simply moving -- is related to positive feelings, but they found no similar relationship between physical activity and negative moods.

"In the study, if people are more active, they tend to report a more positive mood," said Bryan McCormick, associate professor in IU Bloomington's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. "Really low levels of activity are related to lower levels of positive affect."

Physical activity was considered movement beyond resting -- not formal exercise.

"People often see physical activity as having to be exercise, but it doesn't have to be exercise," McCormick said. "Physical activity beyond a resting state does appear to be related to mood."

The study is unique because it tracks moment-by-moment physical activity throughout the day and compares it to reports study participants make throughout the day of their activities and feelings.

The 25 study participants wore uniaxial accelerometers during waking hours for seven days so their physical activity could be recorded. They also wore wristwatches with preprogrammed alarms that signaled them seven times per day during this period so they could fill out brief reports. If they responded more than 20 minutes after the alarm, their report was disregarded in order to eliminate the ambiguity of "recall." Most studies involving mood and physical activity rely on recall, and compare it to overall physical activity levels, not moment-by-moment activity.

"Most research distinguishes between positive and negative mood," McCormick said. "In our study, the moment-by-moment activity is related to po
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