The endogenous euphoric reward system that reinforces physical training: a mechanism for mankind's survival

Sher, L.

doi:10.1016/s0306-9877(98)90064-0

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The hypothesis that neurobiological rewards motivate human endurance exercise (Ekkekakis et al, 2005;Sher, 1998) is consistent with evidence that humans are highly adept endurance athletes (Bramble and Lieberman, 2004;Carrier, 1984). For example, humans possess anatomical specializations and demonstrate endurance athletic performance (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’

Raichlen

Foster

Gerdeman

et al. 2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

219

146

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SUMMARYHumans report a wide range of neurobiological rewards following moderate and intense aerobic activity, popularly referred to as the ʻrunnerʼs highʼ, which may function to encourage habitual aerobic exercise. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous neurotransmitters that appear to play a major role in generating these rewards by activating cannabinoid receptors in brain reward regions during and after exercise. Other species also regularly engage in endurance exercise (cursorial mammals), and as humans share many morphological traits with these taxa, it is possible that exercise-induced eCB signaling motivates habitual high-intensity locomotor behaviors in cursorial mammals. If true, then neurobiological rewards may explain variation in habitual locomotor activity and performance across mammals. We measured circulating eCBs in humans, dogs (a cursorial mammal) and ferrets (a non-cursorial mammal) before and after treadmill exercise to test the hypothesis that neurobiological rewards are linked to high-intensity exercise in cursorial mammals. We show that humans and dogs share significantly increased exercise-induced eCB signaling following high-intensity endurance running. eCB signaling does not significantly increase following low-intensity walking in these taxa, and eCB signaling does not significantly increase in the non-cursorial ferrets following exercise at any intensity. This study provides the first evidence that inter-specific variation in neurotransmitter signaling may explain differences in locomotor behavior among mammals. Thus, a neurobiological reward for endurance exercise may explain why humans and other cursorial mammals habitually engage in aerobic exercise despite the higher associated energy costs and injury risks, and why non-cursorial mammals avoid such locomotor behaviors.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’

Raichlen

Foster

Gerdeman

et al. 2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

219

146

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“…The mu-opioid receptors also contribute to regulation of emotional memory (Quirate et al, 1998). It is worth noting that endogenous opioids may also mediate the mood-enhancing effect of exercise (Sher, 1998). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, endogenous opioids and monoamine neurotransmitters

Stanley

Sher

Wilson

et al. 2010

Journal of Affective Disorders

193

106

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“…When we started developing the idea for this article, we could only locate two opinion pieces, in which the authors had taken the extra step, highlighting the pleasure responses associated with moderate-intensity physical activity as the psychological mechanism that evolved to reward -and thus promote -this behaviour (Eikelboom, 1999;Sher, 1998). This situation has been changed by the publication of two recent studies that were based on the same rationale.…”

Section: Domain Of ''Moderate'' Intensitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation and homogeneity in affective responses to physical activity of varying intensities: An alternative perspective on dose – response based on evolutionary considerations

Ekkekakis

Hall

Petruzzello

2005

Journal of Sports Sciences

309

325

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A model for systematic changes in patterns of inter-individual variation in affective responses to physical activity of varying intensities is presented, as a conceptual alternative to the search for a global dose -response curve. It is theorized that trends towards universality will emerge in response to activities that are either generally adaptive, such as moderate walking, or generally maladaptive, such as strenuous running that requires anaerobic metabolism and precludes the maintenance of a physiological steady state. At the former intensity the dominant response will be pleasure, whereas at the latter intensity the dominant response will be displeasure. In contrast, affective responses will be highly variable, involving pleasure or displeasure, when the intensity of physical activity approximates the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, since activity performed at this intensity entails a trade-off between benefits and risks. Preliminary evidence in support of this model is presented, based on a reanalysis of data from a series of studies.

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The endogenous euphoric reward system that reinforces physical training: a mechanism for mankind's survival

Cited by 16 publications

References 8 publications

Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’

Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’

Non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, endogenous opioids and monoamine neurotransmitters

Variation and homogeneity in affective responses to physical activity of varying intensities: An alternative perspective on dose – response based on evolutionary considerations

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