AUTHOR=Struthers C. Ward , van Monsjou Elizabeth , Ayoub Mariam , Guilfoyle Joshua R. 

TITLE=Fit to Forgive: Effect of Mode of Exercise on Capacity to Override Grudges and Forgiveness

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00538

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00538

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>Forgiveness is important for repairing relationships that have been damaged by transgressions. In this research we explored the notion that the mode of physical exercise that victims of transgressions engage in and their capacity to override grudges are important in the process of forgiveness. Two exploratory studies that varied in samples (community non-student adults, undergraduate students) and research methods (non-experimental, experimental) were used to test these predictions. Findings showed that, compared to anaerobic or no exercise, aerobic and flexibility exercise facilitated self-control over grudges and forgiveness (Studies 1 and 2), and self-control over grudges explained the relation between exercise and forgiveness (Study 2). Possible mechanisms for future research are discussed.</p>