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German researchers: expectation affects benefits of exercise

Xinhua, August 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

A new study by German researchers showed that people benefit more from exercise when they believe exercise brings health.

Psychologist Hendrik Mothes from the department of sport science of University of Freiburg in Germany and his team conducted the study. The results were published in the latest issue of "Journal of Behavioral Medicine".

The researchers invited 76 men and women aged between 18 and 32 to the laboratory to ride a bicycle ergometer for half an hour.

The participants were divided into different groups, some of which were shown videos promoting benefits of cycling and asked whether they believed in the promotion before riding.

The participants were also required to fill out questionnaires about their well-being and mood before and after exercise.

Besides, the researchers measured the participants ' brain activities with an electroencephalogram.

The results demonstrated that people benefit more from exercise psychologically and neurophysiologically if they already have positive mindsets about exercise beforehand, Mothes said.

The results can also apply to other endurance sports like jogging, swimming, cross-country skiing, etc. Mothes added. Endit