The hypothesis that time-incremented running is a factor affecting mood state was tested on 41 members of men’s and women’s college track teams. Mood Thermometers (Tuckman, 1988) measured the difference in tension, anger, depression, fatigue, and confusion immediately before and right after running sessions of 0, 15, 30, or 45 min. Completely randomized 2 x 4 (Sex x Length of Running Time) analyses of variance indicated a significant decrease in running groups as compared to the no-run group in women in terms of depression, tension, and confusion. Men did not show significant improvements in any of these areas and, in fact, showed significantly greater confusion following a running session of 45 min.

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