The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Perseverative Thinking

Abstract

Perseverative thinking is associated with worse physical and psychological outcomes, including depression. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for perseverative thinking is often effective but expensive and difficult to access. Physical activity is accessible to nearly everyone and may be protective against perseverative thinking. In Chapter 1, we reviewed the existing research on the relationships between perseverative thinking, physical activity, physical health, and psychological health, with a focus on mood. In Chapter 2, we investigated the relationship between objectively-measured perseverative thinking and physical activity in 52 adults with major depressive disorder, bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. we found no relationship between objectively measured perseverative thinking and objectively measured physical activity, though there is a possible link between circadian rhythmicity and perseverative thinking. Future research should investigate the relationship between circadian rhythmicity and perseverative thinking and predictors of improvement in perseverative thinking with physical activity, including genetics, type of physical activity, and depression phenotype.