Unveiling the influence of exercise intensity on creativity: Examining the interplay with positive affect and autonomous motivation

While research has proven that exercise can boost creativity, the optimal exercise intensity for predicting creativity and the underlying mechanism in this relationship, is still unknown. This study posits that exercising at a moderate-intensity (compared to low- and high-intensity) is best to increase creativity (i.e., divergent thinking), and that positive affect serves as a potential underlying mechanism in this relationship. Furthermore, it is hypothesised that moderate and high exercise intensities result in higher positive affect among individuals high in autonomous than individuals who have more controlled exercise motivation, which would, in turn, predict higher creativity levels. To these ends, an experimental between-subjects design with three experimental conditions (low-, moderate-, and high-intensity exercise) and a control condition (rest) was employed. Participants included healthy university students (N = 75) who were randomly allocated to the following 25-minute...Show moreWhile research has proven that exercise can boost creativity, the optimal exercise intensity for predicting creativity and the underlying mechanism in this relationship, is still unknown. This study posits that exercising at a moderate-intensity (compared to low- and high-intensity) is best to increase creativity (i.e., divergent thinking), and that positive affect serves as a potential underlying mechanism in this relationship. Furthermore, it is hypothesised that moderate and high exercise intensities result in higher positive affect among individuals high in autonomous than individuals who have more controlled exercise motivation, which would, in turn, predict higher creativity levels. To these ends, an experimental between-subjects design with three experimental conditions (low-, moderate-, and high-intensity exercise) and a control condition (rest) was employed. Participants included healthy university students (N = 75) who were randomly allocated to the following 25-minute tasks: low-intensity exercise (55% of maximum heart rate), moderate-intensity exercise (70% of maximum heart rate), high-intensity (85% of maximum heart rate) or rest. Participants’ maximum heart rate was obtained during a maximal fitness test. At the start of the experiment, participants’ motivation for exercise was measured. After the 25-minute task, positive affect and creativity were measured. A one-way ANOVA revealed no difference in creativity between the different conditions. A mediation analysis using PROCESS, showed no support for positive affect as a mediating variable between exercise intensity and creativity, although participants in the moderate-intensity exercise condition showed higher levels of positive affect compared to participants in the control condition. Furthermore, autonomous motivation did not emerge as a moderator in the relationship between exercise intensity and positive affect, nor a moderator in the indirect relationship between exercise intensity, positive affect, and creativity. In conclusion, this study’s findings suggest that exercise intensity does not impact one’s creativity. Additionally, the questions regarding the underlying mechanism and the potential beneficiaries of this relationship remain unanswered. Further research could include a larger and more diverse sample, and an exploration of other potential mediators and moderators of the exercise intensity – creativity relationship.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Unveiling the influence of exercise intensity on creativity: Examining the interplay with positive affect and autonomous motivation