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Psychological benefits of aerobic, resistance, mind-body exercises, and HIIT for enhancing athlete well-being and performance

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Exercise plays a pivotal role in enhancing both physical and psychological health, particularly for athletes. This review examines the psychological benefits of four prominent exercise modalities: aerobic exercise, resistance training, mind-body exercises, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Each modality is explored for its impact on mood, stress reduction, cognitive function, and emotional regulation, providing a comprehensive understanding of how exercise contributes to mental health in athletes. Aerobic exercise is particularly effective in improving mood, reducing stress, and improving cognitive function. Resistance training enhances self-esteem, body image, and motivation, whilst mind-body workouts such as yoga and Pilates promote emotional regulation and relieve anxiety. High-Intensity Interval Training promotes mental endurance, cognitive mental clarity, and perseverance. The review explores the processes underlying these psychological advantages, emphasizing the significance of neurochemical shifts, hormone alteration, and neural adaptations. Although the expanding corpus of research, certain restrictions still exist, including limited sample sizes, short-term study designs, and reliance upon self-reported data. Future studies ought to focus on longitudinal studies, objective assessments, and the investigation of novel exercise modalities such as virtual reality-based fitness. Personalized training regimens that incorporate psychological evaluations to enhance athletes' mental and physical performance are recommended. This review emphasizes the significance of integrating various exercise modalities into training programs, not only to enhance physical performance but also to promote sustained psychological well-being. • Psychological benefits of aerobic, resistance, mind-body exercises, and HIIT for athletes. • Aerobic exercise improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive function. • Resistance training boosts self-esteem, body image, and motivation in athletes. • Mind-body exercises foster emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, and enhance clarity. • HIIT improves mental resilience, cognitive performance, and focus under pressure.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106390

Authors: Asma Ayaz, Wajid Zaman, Liang Zhao

Institutions: Ningbo University, Yeungnam University

Language: English

Topic: Sport Psychology and Performance

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670