A paper co-authored by Dr. Ryuta Kuwamizu of Planning Group A01 has been published in Imaging Neuroscience. This research was conducted by Prof. Hideaki Soya of the University of Tsukuba, Lecturer Chorphaka Damrongthai of Rangsit University in Thailand, Dr. Kuwamizu of the University of Tsukuba, and others.

 This study examined the effects of a 10-minute "slow run"—performed at a pace close to walking—on mood, executive function, and prefrontal cortex function.

 The results showed that even at very low exercise intensity, slow running increased feelings of pleasant mood afterward and improved performance on the Stroop task, a measure of executive function. Increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in regulating executive function and mood, was also observed.

 Furthermore, individuals with greater vertical head movement during running tended to show a greater increase in pleasant mood after exercise. This finding suggests that the rhythmic bodily movement associated with running may be related to the subjective experience following exercise.

Paper Information

Authors: Chorphaka Damrongthai, Ryuta Kuwamizu, Yudai Yamazaki, Naoki Aoike, Dongmin Lee, Kyeongho Byun, Ferenc Torma, Kazuki Hyodo, Worachat Churdchomjan, Michael A. Yassa, Kazutaka Adachi, Hideaki Soya

Title: Slow running benefits: Boosts in mood and facilitation of prefrontal cortex function even at very light intensity

Journal: Imaging Neuroscience 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1162/IMAG.a.1297

Press Release: https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/journal/medicine-health/20260713140000.html

Abstract

 Although running upright has been reported to have positive effects on both physical and mental health, the minimum running intensity/speed that would benefit mood and prefrontal cognition is not yet clear. Here we tested the hypothesis that a brief bout of very slow running, which is classified as a very light intensity exercise, would enhance positive mood and executive function and increase activation in executive-function–related prefrontal subregions. Twenty-four healthy participants completed a 10-minute very slow running session on a treadmill at 35% V̇o2peak and a resting control session in randomized order. Executive function was measured using the Stroop task and mood state was measured using the Two-Dimensional Mood Scale (TDMS) before and after both sessions. Cortical hemodynamic changes while performing the task were monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The results show that ten minutes of very slow running significantly enhanced mood, reduced Stroop interference time (i.e., enhanced executive function), and elicited left lateral PFC activation. Moreover, head acceleration, the magnitude of up-and-down oscillations, was measured during running, and a significant positive correlation with pleasant mood was found. Head acceleration is a remarkable characteristic of running and may be one of the factors related to a pleasant mood induced by very slow running. In conclusion, the current study reveals that a single bout of running, even at very slow speed, elicits a pleasant mood and improved executive function with enhancing activation in prefrontal subregions. This shed light on the slow running benefits to brain health.

Related Research Development

 Relatedly, another collaborative study by Dr. Hideaki Fujihara of Tokushima University and Dr. Ryuta Kuwamizu has reported that changes in interoceptive sensibility—that is, the way one perceives internal bodily states—may be involved in the mood-improving effects of running.

 This study examined changes in the subjective perception of internal bodily states before and after running and investigated their relationship with the mood improvement induced by running. It is currently available as a preprint, before peer review.

Preprint Information

Authors: Hideaki Fujihara, Ryuta Kuwamizu

Title: Acute running improves mood via changes in interoceptive sensibility

Preprint server: bioRxiv（2026、査読前プレプリント）

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.08.730632

  In this research area, Dr. Kuwamizu is advancing work on the "sports qualia structure." These studies provide important insights for understanding the relationship between bodily movement during running, interoceptive sensibility, and brain function, on one hand, and subjective experiences such as "pleasantness," on the other.

 Going forward, the aim is to capture these elements in a multidimensional and structural manner, leading to a deeper understanding of how qualia form through sports.