Motion as Motivation: Using Repetitive Flexion Movements to Stimulate the Approach System

Research suggests that having a healthy approach system is critical for adaptive emotional functioning. The goal of the current study (n = 186 undergraduates) was to determine the efficacy of an easy-to-disseminate and cost-efficient strategy for stimulating this system. The experiment tested the effects of repeated flexion movements (rFM) on approach system activation as measured by both self-report (BAS scales) and behavior. The results showed that rFM increased approach system motivation in men but not women. Men who completed the rFM task reported significantly greater levels of fun-seeking motivation than men in the control task. Moreover, the rFM task led to changes in actual behavior. Men who completed the rFM task exhibited significantly greater persistence on a difficult laboratory task than men in the control task. In contrast, women who completed the rFM task reported significantly lower levels of fun seeking and tended to exhibit less persistence on a difficult laboratory task than women in the control task. These results provide support for embodied theories of emotion as well as additional evidence for a gender difference in approach–avoidance tendencies.

Research Highlights
► A healthy approach system is critical for adaptive emotional functioning.
► Repeated flexion movements (rFM) were used to stimulate the approach system.
► rFM increased approach system motivation in men, but not women.
► Future work is needed to take rFM from the lab to a clinical setting.