Rowers' high: behavioural synchrony is correlated with elevated pain thresholds |
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Authors: | Emma E. A. Cohen Robin Ejsmond-Frey Nicola Knight R. I. M. Dunbar |
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Affiliation: | 1.Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, 64 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN, UK;2.British Academy Centenary Research Project, Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, 64 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN, UK |
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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. |
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Keywords: | endorphins rowing synchronized performance euphoria |
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