Mood responses to recreational sport and exercise in a Korean sample

It is well documented that aerobic exercise produces mood benefits. However, research examining the potential mood benefits of competitive sport at the recreational level is lacking (Berger, 1994). Therefore, the primary purpose of the present study was to compare the mood responses of four activity groups; (1) aerobic dance, (2) soccer, (3) tennis, and (4) bowling. A second purpose was to examine the utility of a recently developed measure of exercise-related mood in a Korean sample of 108 male and female physical education students. Mood was assessed immediately pre-and post-activity with the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES: McAuley & Courneya, 1994). Aerobic dance and soccer participants reported enhanced positive mood pre-to post-activity (p < .05). Tennis players and bowlers reported no change. None of the activities reduced feelings of negative mood as assessed by the SEES. These preliminary results suggest that recreational soccer produces mood benefits similar to aerobic dance. Furthermore, although the subscales of the SEES were intercorrelated similarly to previous research, the ability of the measure to tap changes in negative mood warrants further examination.