Acute effect of different types of moderate intensity physical exercise on affective response and mood state in individuals with substance use disorder

• Published in: Mental health and physical activity 2024-10, Vol.27, p.100634, Article 100634
• Main Authors: Malagodi, Bruno Marson, Greguol, Marcia, Tavares, Vagner Deuel de Oliveira, Carraro, Attilio, Serassuelo Júnior, Helio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; Chemical dependency; Depression; Drugs; Perceived arousal; Physical activity
• ISSN: 1755-2966
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100634

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects a significant percentage of people around the world, negatively influencing aspects of physical and mental health. Physical exercise can promote acute and chronic effects on the affective response and mood of individuals and has shown promising effects in all phases of rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to verify the acute effects of two types of physical exercises at moderate intensity on the mood state and on the affective response of individuals hospitalized for the treatment of SUD. For this purpose, 43 individuals (31 men and 12 women) underwent two physical exercise sessions (one aerobic and one functional) and a control session. Before and immediately after the sessions, subjects answered questionnaires about mood, affective valence, and perceived arousal. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test were used to assess the effect of timing and session on the variables. The results showed significant improvements after both physical exercise sessions in mood (reduction in levels of tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion) and in affective valences (feeling of pleasure and arousal perception), with no changes after the control session. It is observed that different types of physical exercises can positively impact the mental health of individuals undergoing treatment for SUD and should be used as a non-pharmacological strategy in the rehabilitation process. •Moderate acute physical exercise helps improve mood state and affective valences.•Improvements in mood state can reduce craving levels and avoid relapses.•Functional exercise proved to be as beneficial as aerobic exercise.•Increased post-exercise pleasure can contribute to better adherence to practice.•Physical exercise practice is an effective strategy for SUD rehabilitation.