The Association between Impulsivity and Exercise in Adolescents
Abstract
Two separate constructs, impulsivity and exercise, have been studied extensively in past literature, identifying impulsivity with risk taking behavior and exercise with health and psychological benefits. The present study looks at both impulsivity and exercise by using laboratory behavioral assessments and self-report questionnaires to explore the relationship between impulsive behavior (impulsive decision-making, inattention, and disinhibition) and exercise in adolescents. Participants were male and female adolescents ranged in between 17 and 20 years. Inattention and disinhibition were found to be significant predictors of exercise. Adolescents who were more impulsive reported exercising more than adolescents who were less impulsive. These findings suggest that adolescents may use exercise as a way of regulating and counteracting their impulsive behaviors. Future research should be conducted to further examine the relationship between impulsivity and exercise in order to determine the effects exercise has on impulsivity.
Citation
Racine, Madeline (2012). The Association between Impulsivity and Exercise in Adolescents. Honors and Undergraduate Research. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /154416.