Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Psychoneuroimmunology pp 89–102Cite as

Physical Activity, Stress Reduction, and Mood: Insight into Immunological Mechanisms

  • Protocol
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 934))

Abstract

Psychosocial factors, such as chronic mental stress and mood, are recognized as an important predictor of longevity and wellbeing. In particular, depression is independently associated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, and is often comorbid with chronic diseases that can worsen their associated health outcomes. Regular exercise is thought to be associated with stress reduction and better mood, which may partly mediate associations between depression, stress, and health outcomes. The underlying mechanisms for the positive effects of exercise on wellbeing remain poorly understood. In this overview we examine epidemiological evidence for an association between physical activity and mental health. We then describe the exercise withdrawal paradigm as an experimental protocol to study mechanisms linking exercise, mood, and stress. In particular we will discuss the potential role of the inflammatory response as a central mechanism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Protocol
USD   49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   159.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Springer Nature is developing a new tool to find and evaluate Protocols. Learn more

References

  1. Insel TR, Charney DS (2003) Research on major depression. JAMA 289:3167–3168

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kuper H, Marmot M, Hemingway H (2002) Systematic review of prospective cohort studies of psychosocial factors in the etiology and prognosis of coronary heart disease. Semin Vasc Med 2:267–314

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Knol MJ, Twisk JW, Beekman AT, Heine RJ, Snoek FJ, Pouwer F (2006) Depression as a risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A meta-analysis. Diabetologia 49:837–845

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. van Melle JP, de Jonge P, Spijkerman TA, Tijssen JG, Ormel J, van Veldhuisen DJ, van den Brink RH, van den Berg MP (2004) Prognostic association of depression following myocardial infarction with mortality and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 66:814–822

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Barth J, Schumacher M, Herrmann-Lingen C (2004) Depression as a risk factor for mortality in patients with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med 66:802–813

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chida Y, Hamer H, Wardle J, Steptoe A (2008) Do psychosocial stress-related factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival? Nat Clin Pract Oncol 5:466–475

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Moussavi S, Chatterji S, Verdes E, Tandon A, Patel V, Ustun B (2007) Depression, chronic diseases, and decrements in health: results from the World Health Surveys. Lancet 370:851–858

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Heffner KL, Waring ME, Roberts MB, Eaton CB, Gramling R (2011) Social isolation, C-reactive protein, and coronary heart disease mortality among community-dwelling adults. Soc Sci Med 72:1482–1488

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kivimäki M, Virtanen M, Elovainio M, Kouvonen A, Väänänen A, Vahtera J (2006) Work stress in the etiology of coronary heart disease–a meta-analysis. Scand J Work Environ Health 32:431–442

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Chida Y, Steptoe A (2009) The association of anger and hostility with future coronary heart disease: a meta-analytic review of prospective evidence. J Am Coll Cardiol 53:936–946

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Schulz R, Beach SR (1999) Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: the Caregiver Health Effects Study. JAMA 282:2215–2219

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pressman SD, Cohen S (2005) Does positive affect influence health? Psychol Bull 131:925–971

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Trivedi MH, Rush AJ, Wisniewski SR, Nierenberg AA, Warden D, Ritz L, Norquist G, Howland RH, Lebowitz B, McGrath PJ, Shores-Wilson K, Biggs MM, Balasubramani GK, Fava M, STAR*D Study Team (2006) Evaluation of outcomes with citalopram for depression using measurement-based care in STAR*D: implications for clinical practice. Am J Psychiatry 163:28–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wiles NJ, Haase AM, Gallacher J, Lawlor DA, Lewis G (2007) Physical activity and common mental disorder: results from the Caerphilly study. Am J Epidemiol 165:946–954

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Wise LA, Adams-Campbell LL, Palmer JR, Rosenberg L (2006) Leisure time physical activity in relation to depressive symptoms in the Black Women’s Health Study. Ann Behav Med 32:68–76

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Brown WJ, Ford JH, Burton NW, Marshall AL, Dobson AJ (2005) Prospective study of physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Am J Prev Med 29:265–272

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Backmand H, Kaprio J, Kujala U, Sarna S (2003) Influence of physical activity on depression and anxiety of former elite athletes. Int J Sports Med 24:609–619

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. van Gool CH, Kempen GI, Penninx BW, Deeg DJ, Beekman AT, van Eijk JT (2003) Relationship between changes in depressive symptoms and unhealthy lifestyles in late middle aged and older persons: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Age Ageing 32:81–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Strawbridge WJ, Deleger S, Roberts RE, Kaplan GA (2002) Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. Am J Epidemiol 156:328–334

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Wyshak G (2001) Women’s college physical activity and self-reports of physician-diagnosed depression and of current symptoms of psychiatric distress. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 10:363–370

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Morgan K, Bath PA (1998) Customary physical activity and psychological wellbeing: a longitudinal study. Age Ageing 27(suppl 3):35–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Cooper-Patrick L, Ford DE, Mead LA, Chang PP, Klag MJ (1997) Exercise and depression in midlife: a prospective study. Am J Public Health 87:670–673

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Paffenbarger RS Jr, Lee IM, Leung R (1994) Physical activity and personal characteristics associated with depression and suicide in American college men. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 377:16–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Weyerer S (1992) Physical inactivity and depression in the community. Evidence from the Upper Bavarian Field Study. Int J Sports Med 13:492–496

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Camacho TC, Roberts RE, Lazarus NB, Kaplan GA, Cohen RD (1991) Physical activity and depression: evidence from the Alameda County Study. Am J Epidemiol 134:220–231

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Farmer ME, Locke BZ, Moscicki EK, Dannenberg AL, Larson DB, Radloff LS (1988) Physical activity and depressive symptoms: the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Am J Epidemiol 128:1340–1351

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Pate RR, O’Neill JR, Lobelo F (2008) The evolving definition of “Sedentary”. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 36:173–178

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Yoshiuchi K, Inada S, Nakahara R, Akabayashi A, Park H, Park S, Shephard RJ (2010) Stressful life events and habitual physical activity in older adults: 1-year accelerometer data from the Nakanojo Study. Ment Health Phys Act 3:23–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Yoshiuchi K, Nakahara R, Kumano H, Kuboki T, Togo F, Watanabe E, Yasunaga A (2006) Yearlong physical activity and depressive symptoms in older Japanese adults: cross-sectional data from the Nakanojo study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 14:621–624

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Mendlowicz MV, Jean-Louis G, von Gizycki H, Zizi F, Nunes J (1999) Actigraphic predictors of depressed mood in a cohort of non-psychiatric adults. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 33:553–558

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Barkley TJ, Tryon WW (1995) Psychomotor retardation found in college students seeking counseling. Behav Res Ther 33:977–984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kawada T, Katsumata M, Suzuki H, Shimizu T (2007) Actigraphic predictors of the depressive state in students with no psychiatric disorders. J Affect Disord 98:117–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Janney CA, Richardson CR, Holleman RG, Glasheen C, Strath SJ, Conroy MB, Kriska AM (2008) Gender, mental health service use and objectively measured physical activity: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003–2004). Ment Health Phys Act 1:9–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hamer M, Stamatakis E (2010) Objectively assessed physical activity, fitness and subjective wellbeing. Ment Health Phys Act 3:67–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Poole L, Steptoe A, Wawrzyniak AJ, Bostock S, Mitchell ES, Hamer M (2011) Associations of objectively measured physical activity with daily mood ratings and psychophysiological stress responses in women. Psychophysiology 48:1165–1172

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Asztalos M, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Cardon G (2010) The relationship between physical activity and mental health varies across activity intensity levels and dimensions of mental health among women and men. Public Health Nutr 13:1207–1214

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Moses J, Steptoe A, Mathews A, Edwards S (1989) The effects of exercise training on mental well-being in the normal population: a controlled trial. J Psychosom Res 33:47–61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Puetz TW, Flowers SS, O’Connor PJ (2008) A randomized controlled trial of the effect of aerobic exercise training on feelings of energy and fatigue in sedentary young adults with persistent fatigue. Psychother Psychosom 77:167–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Vaccarino V, Johnson BD, Sheps DS, Reis SE, Kelsey SF, Bittner V, Rutledge T, Shaw LJ, Sopko G, Bairey Merz CN, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2007) Depression, inflammation, and incident cardiovascular disease in women with suspected coronary ischemia: the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored WISE study. J Am Coll Cardiol 50:2044–2050

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Hamer M, Molloy GJ, Stamatakis E (2008) Psychological distress as a risk factor for CVD events: pathophysiological and behavioral mechanisms. J Am Coll Cardiol 52:2156–2162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Irwin MR, Miller AH (2007) Depressive disorders and immunity: 20 years of progress and discovery. Brain Behav Immun 21:374–383

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Liukkonen T, Silvennoinen-Kassinen S, Jokelainen J, Räsänen P, Leinonen M, Meyer-Rochow VB, Timonen M (2006) The association between C-reactive protein levels and depression: results from the northern Finland 1966 birth cohort study. Biol Psychiatry 60:825–830

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Chrysohoou C, Tsetsekou E, Papageorgiou C, Christodoulou G, Stefanadis C, ATTICA Study (2004) Inflammation, coagulation, and depressive symptomatology in cardiovascular disease-free people; the ATTICA study. Eur Heart J 25:492–499

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Kop WJ, Gottdiener JS, Tangen CM, Fried LP, McBurnie MA, Walston J, Newman A, Hirsch C, Tracy RP (2002) Inflammation and coagulation factors in persons >65 years of age with symptoms of depression but without evidence of myocardial ischemia. Am J Cardiol 89:419–424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Penninx BW, Kritchevsky SB, Yaffe K, Newman AB, Simonsick EM, Rubin S, Ferrucci L, Harris T, Pahor M (2003) Inflammatory markers and depressed mood in older persons: results from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study. Biol Psychiatry 54:566–572

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Bremmer MA, Beekman AT, Deeg DJ, Penninx BW, Dik MG, Hack CE, Hoogendijk WJ (2008) Inflammatory markers in late-life depression: results from a population-based study. J Affect Disord 106:249–255

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Empana JP, Sykes DH, Luc G, Juhan-Vague I, Arveiler D, Ferrieres J, PRIME Study Group (2005) Contributions of depressive mood and circulating inflammatory markers to coronary heart disease in healthy European men: the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME). Circulation 111:2299–2305

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Pizzi C, Manzoli L, Mancini S, Costa GM (2008) Analysis of potential predictors of depression among coronary heart disease risk factors including heart rate variability, markers of inflammation, and endothelial function. Eur Heart J 29:1110–1117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Poole L, Dickens C, Steptoe A (2011) The puzzle of depression and acute coronary syndrome: reviewing the role of acute inflammation. J Psychosom Res 71:61–68

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wright CE, Strike PC, Brydon L, Steptoe A (2005) Acute inflammation and negative mood: mediation by cytokine activation. Brain Behav Immun 19:345–350

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Febbraio MA, Pedersen BK (2002) Muscle-derived interleukin-6: mechanisms for activation and possible biological roles. FASEB J 16:1335–1347

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Pedersen BK (2011) Exercise-induced myokines and their role in chronic diseases. Brain Behav Immun 25:811–816

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Bierhaus A, Wolf J, Andrassy M, Rohleder N, Humpert PM, Petrov D, Ferstl R, von Eynatten M, Wendt T, Rudofsky G, Joswig M, Morcos M, Schwaninger M, McEwen B, Kirschbaum C, Nawroth PP (2003) A mechanism converting psychosocial stress into mononuclear cell activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:1920–1925

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Hamer M (2007) The relative influences of fitness and fatness on inflammatory factors. Prev Med 44:3–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Hamer M, O’Donovan G (2010) Cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic risk factors in obesity. Curr Opin Lipidol 21:1–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Hamer M, Molloy GJ, de Oliveira C, Demakakos P (2009) Persistent depressive symptomatology and inflammation: to what extent do health behaviours and weight control mediate this relationship? Brain Behav Immun 23:413–418

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Simonen RL, Rankinen T, Perusse L, Leon AS, Skinner JS, Wilmore JH, Rao DC, Bouchard C (2003) A dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphism and physical activity in two family studies. Physiol Behav 78:751–757

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Cotman CW, Berchtold NC, Christie LA (2007) Exercise builds brain health: key roles of growth factor cascades and inflammation. Trends Neurosci 30:464–472

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Knaepen K, Goekint M, Heyman EM, Meeusen R (2010) Neuroplasticity—exercise-induced response of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a systematic review of experimental studies in human subjects. Sports Med 40:765–801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Tong L, Balazs R, Soiampornkul R, Thangnipon W, Cotman CW (2008) Interleukin-1beta impairs brain derived neurotrophic factor-induced signal transduction. Neurobiol Aging 29:1380–1393

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Rohleder N, Schommer NC, Hellhammer DH, Engel R, Kirschbaum C (2001) Sex differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity of proinflammatory cytokine production after psychosocial stress. Psychosom Med 63:966–972

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Duclos M, Gouarne C, Bonnemaison D (2003) Acute and chronic effects of exercise on tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids. J Appl Physiol 94:869–875

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Rimmele U, Seiler R, Marti B, Wirtz PH, Ehlert U, Heinrichs M (2009) The level of physical activity affects adrenal and cardiovascular reactivity to psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 34:190–198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Traustadóttir T, Bosch PR, Matt KS (2005) The HPA axis response to stress in women: effects of aging and fitness. Psychoneuroendocrinology 30:392–402

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Tracey KJ (2002) The inflammatory reflex. Nature 420:853–859

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Hamer M, Steptoe A (2007) Association between physical fitness, parasympathetic control, and proinflammatory responses to mental stress. Psychosom Med 69:660–666

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Carter JB, Banister EW, Blaber AP (2003) Effect of endurance exercise on autonomic control of heart rate. Sports Med 33:33–46

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Rethorst CD, Wipfli BM, Landers DM (2009) The antidepressive effects of exercise: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Sports Med 39:491–511

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Poole L, Hamer M, Wawrzyniak AJ, Steptoe A (2011) The effects of exercise withdrawal on mood and inflammatory cytokine responses in humans. Stress 14:439–447

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Kop WJ, Weinstein AA, Deuster PA, Whittaker KS, Tracy RP (2008) Inflammatory markers and negative mood symptoms following exercise withdrawal. Brain Behav Immun 22:1190–1196

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Lund AJ, Hurst TL, Tyrrell RM, Thompson D (2011) Markers of chronic inflammation with short-term changes in physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:578–583

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Krogh-Madsen R, Thyfault JP, Broholm C, Mortensen OH, Olsen RH, Mounier R, Plomgaard P, van Hall G, Booth FW, Pedersen BK (2010) A 2-wk reduction of ambulatory activity attenuates peripheral insulin sensitivity. J Appl Physiol 108:1034–1040

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Weinstein AA, Deuster PA, Kop WJ (2007) Heart rate variability as a predictor of negative mood symptoms induced by exercise withdrawal. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:735–741

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Handschin C, Spiegelman BM (2008) The role of exercise and PGC1alpha in inflammation and chronic disease. Nature 454:463–469

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Anisman H, Merali Z (2003) Cytokines, stress and depressive illness: brain-immune interactions. Ann Med 35:2–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Endrighi R, Steptoe A, Hamer M (2011) Mood disturbance following exercise withdrawal is associated with greater inflammatory responses to stress. Psychosom Med 73:A110

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are supported by grant funding from the British Heart Foundation (UK).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychobiology Group, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK

    Mark Hamer, Romano Endrighi & Lydia Poole

Authors
  1. Mark Hamer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Romano Endrighi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lydia Poole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Hamer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. PharmTao, Lafayette St 4601, Santa Clara, 95056, California, USA

    Qing Yan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Hamer, M., Endrighi, R., Poole, L. (2012). Physical Activity, Stress Reduction, and Mood: Insight into Immunological Mechanisms. In: Yan, Q. (eds) Psychoneuroimmunology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 934. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-071-7_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-071-7_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-070-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-071-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation