TL;DR
Get health and wellness essentials delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
A University of Tsukuba study of 24 healthy young adults found that a 10-minute bout of very slow jogging was followed by improved reported mood and better performance on a test of executive function. The findings are short-term and do not show that slow jogging has the same effects for everyone or establishes why the changes occurred.
A study from the University of Tsukuba found that 10 minutes of very slow jogging was followed by more positive mood reports and improved performance on a test of executive function among 24 healthy young adults. The results, published in Imaging Neuroscience, suggest that brief, light running may produce measurable short-term changes, but they do not establish long-term benefits or show that the effects apply to all age groups.
Researchers asked the 24 participants to complete two 10-minute sessions: one sitting on a chair on a stationary treadmill and one running at a very slow pace. The jogging speed was about 3 to 6 kilometers per hour, or roughly 1.9 to 3.7 miles per hour. Researchers assessed mood and cognitive performance before and after each session and used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure activity in the prefrontal cortex.
After the slow-running session, participants reported a more pleasant mood and did better on a Stroop test, which measures aspects of executive function such as attention and handling conflicting information. The researchers also recorded increased activity in prefrontal areas associated with executive function and mood regulation. The sitting session did not produce comparable changes, according to the report.
The study tested immediate responses to a short exercise bout. It did not establish how long the changes lasted, whether repeating the activity produces lasting effects, or whether the same results would occur in older adults or people with health conditions. The source report describes the exercise intensity as very light for participants, at about 35% of peak oxygen uptake.
A Short Run With Measurable Effects
The findings may interest people who find conventional running intimidating or difficult to fit into their schedules. In the experiment, a 10-minute session was associated with immediate changes in mood and one measure of thinking, without the fast pace or high effort commonly linked with running. That makes slow jogging a possible low-intensity option for people looking for a brief movement break, rather than proof that it is a substitute for other forms of exercise.
The result also adds to questions about whether running’s movement pattern might affect the brain differently from sitting or walking. The study recorded activity in brain regions linked with executive function, but it was small and measured short-term outcomes. It cannot show that slow jogging prevents cognitive decline, treats mood disorders, or improves health over time.
The distinction matters for readers weighing the report’s promise: a measurable change in a lab task after exercise is not the same as a demonstrated, lasting benefit in daily life. The study offers a reason for further research, not a guarantee of a particular mental or emotional response.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What Researchers Tested
Slow jogging is also known as “niko niko pace,” a Japanese phrase commonly rendered as “smiling pace.” Exercise physiologist Hiroaki Tanaka popularized the approach. It describes a relaxed running pace at which a person can talk comfortably. The movement remains a running motion: unlike walking, there is a brief moment when both feet are off the ground.
The University of Tsukuba researchers set out to examine whether running had to be strenuous to be accompanied by measurable changes in mood, cognition and brain activity. Their comparison was between slow running and sitting, not between slow jogging and walking. The report stresses that the findings do not suggest people should stop walking; walking is a form of physical activity with its own established health associations.
Researchers also measured vertical movement of the head. Participants with greater head movement tended to report larger mood improvements, but the study did not establish that the movement caused the mood changes. The report says a possible explanation involving brain activity is still theoretical in humans.
“A little running may still matter, even when it feels easy.”
— Seniors Guide report, describing the study’s takeaway
How Long the Effects Last
The supplied report does not specify the study’s publication date, and it gives no follow-up results showing whether the mood or cognitive-test changes lasted beyond the immediate post-exercise measurements. The experiment involved only 24 healthy young adults, so it cannot establish whether the findings apply to older people, less healthy populations or regular slow joggers.
It is also unclear what caused the observed changes. Greater head movement was associated with larger mood improvements, but that does not prove it was the mechanism. The idea that rhythmic movement may affect mood-related brain systems remains a proposed explanation, not a confirmed finding in humans. The report does not establish that slow jogging is superior to walking for health or mental well-being.
Further Tests of Slow Running
The report says researchers plan to investigate the relationship between head acceleration and mood further. Larger studies, research involving other age groups, and follow-up measurements would be needed to test whether the immediate changes can be reproduced and whether they persist. No additional study date or next research milestone is provided in the source material.
For readers considering the approach, the study supports only a limited conclusion: a short, very slow run was followed by changes in mood and test performance in this small group. It does not set out an exercise prescription or assess individual risks. People making decisions about exercise in light of a medical condition should consult a qualified health professional.
Key Questions
What did the slow-jogging study find?
Among 24 healthy young adults, a 10-minute session of very slow running was followed by more positive mood reports, better Stroop-test performance and increased activity in parts of the prefrontal cortex. These were immediate results, not evidence of lasting change.
How slow was the jogging?
Participants ran at about 3 to 6 kilometers per hour, roughly 1.9 to 3.7 miles per hour. The report characterizes the effort as very light for the study participants.
Does the study show slow jogging is better than walking?
No. The experiment compared slow jogging with sitting, not with walking. The report says the findings do not suggest people should stop walking or replace it with jogging.
Why might jogging affect mood differently from sitting?
The researchers observed an association between greater vertical head movement and larger mood improvements. A possible brain mechanism has been proposed, but the cause is not established in humans.
Are the benefits proven to last?
No. The study measured responses around a single 10-minute session. The supplied report does not give evidence about how long the effects last or whether repeated sessions produce long-term benefits.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
