Slow running benefits: Boosts in mood and facilitation of prefrontal cortex function even at very light intensity.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized crossover trial in humans
PubMed 42559056 · doi:10.1162/IMAG.a.1297
What was done
Twenty-four healthy participants completed a 10-minute session of very slow treadmill running at 35% V̇O2peak (very light intensity) and a resting control session in randomized order. Before and after each session, participants completed the Stroop task to assess executive function and the Two-Dimensional Mood Scale (TDMS) to measure mood. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) monitored prefrontal cortical hemodynamic changes during task performance, and head acceleration (up-and-down oscillations) was measured during running.
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without specific numerical values or effect sizes. Ten minutes of very slow running significantly enhanced positive mood, decreased Stroop interference time (enhanced executive function), and elicited left lateral prefrontal cortex activation compared to rest. Head acceleration during running showed a significant positive correlation with pleasant mood.
Why it matters
These findings indicate that running does not require moderate or vigorous intensity to yield cognitive and mood benefits, demonstrating that even a brief, very light-intensity bout can enhance prefrontal function and affective state.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 24) and restricted to healthy individuals. The study only examined acute effects from a single 10-minute session, so chronic or long-term adaptations were not assessed. The abstract does not provide exact numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, or p-values.
Cited by
- supports At least one study indicates that a 10-minute exercise snack improves cognitive function.