Effects of cycling exercise on vigor, fatigue, and electroencephalographic activity among young adults who report persistent fatigue

We previously reported that 6 weeks of exercise training had positive effects on feelings of vigor and fatigue among college students who reported persistent fatigue. Here we examined whether transient mood changes after single sessions of exercise would mimic those chronic effects and whether they would be related to changes in brain activity measured by electroencephalography (EEG). Feelings of vigor were higher after both low‐ and moderate‐intensity exercise during Weeks 1, 3, and 6 compared to a control condition. Feelings of fatigue were lower after low‐intensity exercise during Weeks 3 and 6. Posterior theta activity accounted for about half the changes in vigor. Studies that manipulate mood, EEG activity, or both during exercise are needed to determine whether EEG changes after exercise are causally linked with mood.