Table 3 Analysis of explanatory approaches in sport science
Person variables | Environmental variables | Treatment | SWB | Mediator–moderator framework | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neurophysiological explanations | |||||
Cardiovascular fitness | e.g., cardiorespiratory endurance | More aerobic exertion | Unspecific | 2 | |
Thermogenic hypothesis | Core temperature increase | Affect | 2 | ||
Improvement in cerebral blood flow | Cerebral blood flow, oxygen transport | Cognitive functioning parameters, affect | 3 | ||
Endorphin hypothesis | Endorphin | Intensity | Positive affect | 3 | |
Endocannabinoid hypothesis | Endocannabinoid | Positive affect | 3 | ||
Monoamine hypotheses | Monoamine | Negative affect | 3 | ||
Central serotonin | |||||
Catecholamines (esp. noradrenaline) | |||||
Transient hypofrontality hypothesis | Neural activity in cortex | Aerobic exertion | Negative affect (depression, anxiety) | 3 | |
Cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis | Stress hormones, physiological parameters | Repeated, intensive, and persistent exertion | Negative affect (stress) | 3 | |
(Social) psychological explanations | |||||
Distraction hypothesis (“time out”) | Distraction | Negative affect (stress) | 2 | ||
Self-efficacy theory/Mastery hypothesis | Self-efficacy, age | Cognitive self-evaluations | 4 | ||
Meditative consciousness states | Skills, flow experience | challenge imposed by exercise | Positive affect | 4 | |
“Exercise and self-esteem” model | Physical self-efficacy, physical acceptance, physical competence | Cognitive self-evaluations (self-esteem) | 3 | ||
Social support | Self-efficacy, perception of social support | Social interaction | Unspecific | 3 | |
Mixed approaches | |||||
“Dual-mode” model | Cognitive processes (appraisals of meaning of exercise, goals, different self- perceptions), interoceptive cues | Intensity | Affect | 4 | |
Two-dimensional activation model | Energetic and emotion-related arousal | Intensity | Negative affect | 3 | |