Relations Between Anhedonia and Physical Activity

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation of 2 measures of anhedonia-a specific facet of depression indicative of inability to experience pleasure-to physical activity (PA). METHOD: Cross-sectional correlational survey study of 157 college students (73% female, M age 19.9 years). RESULTS: One or both measures of anhedonia were inversely associated with walking frequency, moderate-intensity PA frequency and duration, and vigorous-intensity PA frequency and duration (βs -16 to -.27, Ps < .05). Some of these associations were statistically mediated by lower PA enjoyment. CONCLUSIONS: Deficient pleasure may be an important affective mechanism underlying PA behavior.