Even very slow running may provide short-term benefits for mood and brain function, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan.
The study involved 24 healthy young adults who completed a 10-minute treadmill session at a slow running pace of about 3 to 6 kilometres per hour. Their results were compared with a separate session in which they spent 10 minutes sitting still.
After the slow run, participants reported feeling more alert and experiencing greater pleasure compared with the resting session. Their reaction times also improved during tests designed to measure attention and self-control.
Researchers also examined changes in brain activity while participants completed the cognitive tests. Using headsets that measured oxygenated blood signals at the brain's surface, they observed stronger activity in two areas of the left prefrontal cortex after running.
The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in cognitive processes and mood regulation. However, the equipment used in the study provides a broader indication of brain activity than techniques such as MRI.
The researchers also found an association between head acceleration during the slow running sessions and improvements in reported pleasure. This factor accounted for about 17% of the variation in mood improvements among participants.
The findings, published in Imaging Neuroscience, are preliminary. The study was small, involved only young adults and did not compare slow running directly with walking or examine long-term effects.
The results suggest that even low-effort running may temporarily support mood and executive function, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and longer-term benefits.
