Emotional or instrumental support? Distinct effects on vigorous exercise and affect

Physical activity (PA) is an umbrella-term for any movement of the body produced by skeletal muscles (Caspersen, Powell, & Christenson, 1985). Whereas, exercising can be conceptualized as “…planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movement” (Biddle & Mutrie, 2001, p. 7). Vigorous exercising is associated with rapid breathing, sweating and an increase in the heart rate (WHO, 2017). Several studies from recent years have demonstrated the positive impact of exercising on health (e.g., Cavill, Kahlmeier, & Racioppi, 2006; Pate et al., 1995; Warburton, Nicol, & Bredin, 2006). Health benefits of exercising depend on the intensity and duration (Warburton et al., 2006), with more pronounced health benefits following from vigorous exercising. In contrast, leading a sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of developing a heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or chronic back pain (CDC, 2015a).