Duration and Intensity

According to Mata’s (2012) study, depressed participants had a higher positive response in to longer duration/high intensity of physical activity compared to short duration/lower intensity physical activity. 106 participants were eligible for the study, with 52 participants classified as healthy controls and 53 participants diagnosed with MDD. Questionnaires were used to assess the participant’s health and physical activity. Results showed that both activities increased positive responses, but longer duration/high intensity had greater positive affect overall. However, neither short nor long durations resulted in a negative response (Mata, Thompson, Jaeggi, Buschkuel, & Jonides, 2012).