THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND NEUROSTIMULATION ON COLLEGE STUDENTS’ EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Authors

  • Shaine Henert PhD, EP-C, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA
  • Chris Hill PhD, School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
  • Benjamin Connors MSEd, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA
  • Juan Navarro MSEd, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA
  • Grace Louis MS, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v11i1.5359

Keywords:

college students, affect, emotional well-being, exercise, neurostimulation

Abstract

Concern for college students’ mental health has grown recently as rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have risen. Although exercise has been shown to improve one’s mental health, few young adults engage in sufficient regular exercise to achieve these benefits. Identifying innovative strategies to maintain emotional well-being would help support the mental health of young adults. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to examine the comparative effects of acute moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and transdermal nerve stimulation (TNS) on one’s perceptions of emotional well-being. Twenty-two, healthy, physically active, college-age individuals participated in the study. A within-subjects crossover design was used to compare participants’ ratings of positive and negative affect using the PANAS. Ratings of positive affect were significantly higher in the exercise compared to the control condition, but only slightly higher than the TNS condition. There were no significant differences in ratings of negative affect. This supports previous research that acute exercise promotes emotional well-being. It also provides preliminary support for the innovative use of neurostimulation to enhance one’s emotional well-being. More research is needed to better understand the efficacy and practicality of using neurostimulation as a complement to exercise to support college students’ emotional well-being.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Shaine Henert, PhD, EP-C, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA

    Shaine Henert (PhD) is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department at Northern Illinois University. His research interests include the effect of psychological skills training on performance enhancement, the psychology of athletic injury and rehabilitation, and exercise behavior and adherence.

  • Chris Hill, PhD, School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

    Chris Hill (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University. His research interests include motor neuroscience, reinforcement-based motor learning, human gait and balance, and electroencephalography.

  • Benjamin Connors, MSEd, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA

    Benjamin Connors, MSEd, is a former graduate student in the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department at Northern Illinois University.

  • Juan Navarro, MSEd, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA

    Juan Navarro, MSEd, is a former graduate student in the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department at Northern Illinois University.

  • Grace Louis, MS, Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL 60115, USA

    Grace Louis, MS, is a doctoral student in the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department at Northern Illinois University. Her research interests include the mental health of college student athletes.

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Published

2024-05-11

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Vol. 11 No. 1 (2024)

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