Rowers' high: behavioural synchrony is correlated with eleva

[jliddil]

Biol. Lett. 23 February 2010 vol. 6 no. 1 106-108

Rowers' high: behavioural synchrony is correlated with elevated pain thresholds
1. Emma E. A. Cohen1,*,
2. Robin Ejsmond-Frey1,
3. Nicola Knight1,† and
4. R. I. M. Dunbar1,2
+ Author Affiliations
1
Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology
, University of Oxford,
64 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN
, UK
2.
2
British Academy Centenary Research Project
, Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford,
64 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN
, UK

1. *Author for correspondence (emma.cohen@anthro.ox.ac.uk).

Abstract

Physical exercise is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, creating a mild sense of euphoria that has rewarding properties. Using pain tolerance (a conventional non-invasive assay for endorphin release), we show that synchronized training in a college rowing crew creates a heightened endorphin surge compared with a similar training regime carried out alone. This heightened effect from synchronized activity may explain the sense of euphoria experienced during other social activities (such as laughter, music-making and dancing) that are involved in social bonding in humans and possibly other vertebrates.

[Bob S.]

Abstract
This heightened effect from synchronized activity may explain the sense of euphoria experienced during other social activities (such as laughter, music-making and dancing) that are involved in social bonding in humans and possibly other vertebrates.

Might this include gym gorillas?

Bob S.

[Tinus]

This heightened effect from synchronized activity may explain the sense of euphoria experienced during other social activities (such as laughter, music-making and dancing) that are involved in social bonding in humans and possibly other vertebrates.

Wowow, that's a sudden big jump to a generalizing conclusion. Also, how does this research compare to other literature?

[Frihed89]

Isn't this old news? I have a question for the scientists. Addictive behavior has been associated with high levels of dopamine. I wonder if addicts respond as well to training as to alcohol and drugs?

[jliddil]

Isn't this old news? I have a question for the scientists. Addictive behavior has been associated with high levels of dopamine. I wonder if addicts respond as well to training as to alcohol and drugs?

In general yes you substitute exercise for drugs. To a large extent it depends on how a person is wired. Addictive personalities seek out a certain feeling/euphoria/rush.

I take from this more about the social aspect something a certain poster on this forum has no real sense of