McGowan R W, Pierce E F, Eastman N, Tripathi H L, Dewey T, Olson K
Health and Sport Science Department, University of Richmond, VA 23173.
Percept Mot Skills. 1993 Apr;76(2):376-8. doi: 10.2466/pms.1993.76.2.376.
Research examining the relationship between beta-endorphin immunoreactivity and affect has resulted in equivocal findings. To examine this relationship further, 10 male and 10 female college-age students participated in a controlled free-weight exercise session. Blood plasma samples were procured both prior to and following the exercise bout and beta-endorphin levels were determined by immunoassay. Analysis indicated that plasma beta-endorphin levels following exercise were significantly decreased from pre-exercise levels. Pearson correlations showed no significant relationship between pre- or postexercise plasma beta-endorphins and either total mood disturbance or Profile of Mood States subscores. The data support previous failure of resistance exercise to produce an increase in beta-endorphin immunoreactivity as well as the lack of a significant relationship between affect and the beta-endorphin response to exercise.
