Exercise Intensity vs. Psychological Benefit

A growing litany of literature points to a more profound psychological benefit due to physical exercises. One of the research papers I really like in this regard is Acute Psychological Benefits of Exercise Performed At Self-Selected Workloads: Implications for Theory and Practice by Attila Szabo. The research paper has been published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2003) 2, 77-87. Two experiments have been conducted. In one experiment, 96 male and female participants ran/jogged for 20 minutes in a field outside at self-selected speed. In the second experiment, 32 women participated in the identical experiment, but inside a PE Laboratory under a more controlled environment. In both experiments, readings on Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory were recorded. The readings show a significant improvement after a 20-minute exercise irrespective of exercise intensity. There is no strong correlation--a quantitative measure of association--found between POMS readings and exercise intensity (measured in terms percentage of maximal heart rate reserve). The primary conclusion out of this study is that it does not matter how intensive exercises one performs. The positive results will be reflected in the form of psychological benefit to the individuals although health benefit may vary depending on workout intensity.