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Fitness Boosts Calm: Study Links Fitness to Lower Anger
22 Feb
Summary
- Higher cardiorespiratory fitness linked to less anxiety and anger.
- Fitter individuals stayed significantly calmer when viewing stressful images.
- Less fit participants were 775% more likely to increase anger levels.
Individuals who maintain a higher level of physical fitness are less prone to losing their temper, according to recent research. A study conducted by the Federal University of Goias in Brazil explored the connection between cardiorespiratory fitness and emotional responses.
The research involved 40 healthy young adults, separated into groups based on their fitness levels. Participants viewed neutral or unpleasant images designed to provoke stress and negative emotions.
Findings indicated that while all participants felt more tense after seeing distressing images, the fitter individuals managed the stress much more effectively and remained calmer. Those in the less fit group showed a dramatic increase in anxiety and anger.
Specifically, the less fit group was 775% more likely to see their anxiety and anger levels escalate from moderate to high. The study, published in the journal Acta Psychologica, also suggested a correlation between lower fitness and a greater likelihood of acting on anger when faced with stressful stimuli.
