HIIT results in increased endorphin release: study
POSTED 25 Aug 2017 . BY Ben Coxon
The study reveals that exercise-induced endorphin release might determine whether we maintain motivation during exercise, pushing ourselves to continue working out despite physical pain or mental exhaustion.
Credit: Shutterstock
A recent study by the University of Turku's Positron Emission Tomography (PET) centre has found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) results in increased endorphin release in the brain, which may play a role in mitigating physical and emotional stress caused by high-intensity exercise.
Comparing moderate and high-intensity exercise, researchers identified that HIIT significantly increased the release of endorphins and other opioid peptides in the brain areas controlling pain and emotion.
A less demanding one-hour aerobic exercise did not cause similar endorphin release.
However, such moderate exercise did result in pleasurable feelings and euphoria, which are linked to endorphin release.
Researchers involved in the study found that at high intensities of exercise, the release of endorphins appears to be linked to increased negative feelings and pain, which may be required to manage the physically and emotionally demanding challenge.
The Turku team think that this exercise-induced endorphin release might determine whether we maintain motivation during exercise, pushing ourselves to continue working out despite physical and emotional pain or exhaustion.
To carry out the study, participants were injected with a radioactive compound that binds to their brain's opioid receptors.
Radioactivity in the brain was measured with the PET scanner in three conditions: after a 60-min aerobic moderate-intensity exercise session, after a HIIT session and finally while resting.
The university found that (HIIT) results in larger endorphin release in the brain, which may play a role in mitigating physical and emotional stress caused by high-intensity exercise Credit: Turku PET Centre
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
HIIT results in increased endorphin release: study
POSTED 25 Aug 2017 . BY Ben Coxon
The study reveals that exercise-induced endorphin release might determine whether we maintain motivation during exercise, pushing ourselves to continue working out despite physical pain or mental exhaustion.
Credit: Shutterstock
A recent study by the University of Turku's Positron Emission Tomography (PET) centre has found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) results in increased endorphin release in the brain, which may play a role in mitigating physical and emotional stress caused by high-intensity exercise.
Comparing moderate and high-intensity exercise, researchers identified that HIIT significantly increased the release of endorphins and other opioid peptides in the brain areas controlling pain and emotion.
A less demanding one-hour aerobic exercise did not cause similar endorphin release.
However, such moderate exercise did result in pleasurable feelings and euphoria, which are linked to endorphin release.
Researchers involved in the study found that at high intensities of exercise, the release of endorphins appears to be linked to increased negative feelings and pain, which may be required to manage the physically and emotionally demanding challenge.
The Turku team think that this exercise-induced endorphin release might determine whether we maintain motivation during exercise, pushing ourselves to continue working out despite physical and emotional pain or exhaustion.
To carry out the study, participants were injected with a radioactive compound that binds to their brain's opioid receptors.
Radioactivity in the brain was measured with the PET scanner in three conditions: after a 60-min aerobic moderate-intensity exercise session, after a HIIT session and finally while resting.
The university found that (HIIT) results in larger endorphin release in the brain, which may play a role in mitigating physical and emotional stress caused by high-intensity exercise Credit: Turku PET Centre
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
