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Research Article

Inability of Frontal Asymmetry to Predict Affective Changes to 10-min Walk

Hall, E.E., Ekkekakis, P., Van Landuyt, L.M., & Petruzzello, S.J., University of Illinois

Previous research has reliably documented that resting EEG frontal asymmetry (greater left frontal activation, relative to right) is a significant predictor of positive affective responses to aerobic exercise performed for 30 minutes at intensities at or above 70% of VO2max. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship between frontal asymmetry and affective responsivity using a short and non-vigorous bout of physical activity, namely a 10-min walk. To this end, regional brain activation was measured via EEG (F3, F4, referenced to linked-ears) in 42 volunteers prior to walking on a treadmill at a self-selected pace (speed = 2.76±.9 m.hr^-1, end HR = 99.3±19 b.min^-1) for 10-min. Affective responses were assessed via a 10-item version of Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory and Thayer's AD-ACL, which yields measures of Energetic Arousal and Tense Arousal. The self-report scales were administered prior to, immediately following, and 10-min following the walk. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, in contrast to previous findings involving more vigorous exercise, resting frontal asymmetry, after partialling out pre-exercise affect, was unable to account for significant, unique variance in post-walk affect. This finding is consistent with a conceptual model, whereby frontal asymmetry, as a biological marker of approach motivation, is a significant predictor of affective responses only to doses of exercise that are high enough to present a significant challenge to the individual.