{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,29]],"date-time":"2026-01-29T01:31:39Z","timestamp":1769650299333,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]],"date-time":"2026-01-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769472000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Brain Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Postpartum mental health challenges are increasingly recognized as a major public health concern, particularly during the early months after childbirth when emotional vulnerability is heightened. Although aerobic exercise is known to be associated with mood improvement, few large-scale studies have examined the acute psychological effects of a single exercise session in postpartum women, especially in contexts where environmental barriers restrict opportunities for physical activity. Methods: A total of 628 postpartum mothers (2\u20136 months postpartum) residing in a snowbound region of northern Japan participated in a single-session indoor bounce-based aerobic exercise program. Mood states were assessed immediately before and after the session using the validated Japanese short-form Profile of Mood States (POMS). Open-ended comments were also collected and analyzed thematically. Results: Paired analyses demonstrated significant acute improvements in key mood domains. Tension\u2013Anxiety decreased (mean difference \u22127.91, 95% CI [\u22128.82, \u22127.00]; d = \u22120.68), and Anger\u2013Hostility decreased (\u22124.61, 95% CI [\u22125.40, \u22123.82]; d = \u22120.45), while Vigor increased (11.82, 95% CI [10.47, 13.17]; d = 0.69) (all p &lt; 0.001). In contrast, Depression\u2013Dejection showed no significant change (\u22120.33, 95% CI [\u22121.30, 0.64]; p = 0.613). Conclusions: A single session of indoor bounce-based aerobic exercise was associated with immediate improvements in emotional well-being among postpartum women, particularly in anxiety-related and activation-related mood states. Because this exercise modality can be performed safely at home and is well suited to regions where outdoor physical activity is restricted, it may represent an accessible strategy for supporting postpartum mental health. Future research should examine longitudinal effects, controlled designs, and optimal program frequency to determine sustained benefits.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci16020133","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]],"date-time":"2026-01-27T09:05:27Z","timestamp":1769504727000},"page":"133","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Bounce-Based Aerobic Exercise Improves Postpartum Mood: A Large-Scale Pre\u2013Post Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8706-2620","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shizuka","family":"Torashima","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, Osaka International University, Osaka 570-8555, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sonoko","family":"Fujibayashi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Psychology, Koshien University, Takarazuka 665-0006, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-1431-5398","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Naoko","family":"Kishimoto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Sciences, Osaka International University, Osaka 570-8555, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4663-598X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mina","family":"Samukawa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"270","article-title":"Comprehensive intervention for pregnant women with psychiatric disorders during perinatal period","volume":"26","author":"Seino","year":"2015","journal-title":"Jpn. Soc. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"NHK Special Investigation Team (2016). Moms in Crisis!? Understanding Child Rearing in Japan through the Latest Science, Poplar Publishing."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Cabinet Office, Government of Japan (2026, January 08). White Paper on Gender Equality, Available online: https:\/\/www.gender.go.jp\/english_contents\/about_danjo\/whitepaper\/index.html."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"78","article-title":"Pregnancy and exercise: Physiological changes and effects on the mother and fetus","volume":"28","author":"Martens","year":"2006","journal-title":"Strength Cond. J."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"577","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(89)90710-1","article-title":"Weight in infancy and death from Ischaemic heart disease","volume":"334","author":"Barker","year":"1989","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"449","article-title":"Influence of exercise program intervention on physical condition problems from two to nine months postpartum: Second report\u2014Comparison between advanced maternal age group and other groups","volume":"59","author":"Torashima","year":"2018","journal-title":"Jpn. J. Matern. Health"},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026, January 08). Results of Population Dynamics Survey. Fiscal Year 2020, Available online: https:\/\/www.mhlw.go.jp\/english\/new-info\/2020.html."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.29328\/journal.jnpr.1001049","article-title":"Postpartum as the best time for physical recovery and health care","volume":"7","author":"Torashima","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Nov. Physiother. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"183","article-title":"The Effectiveness of Childcare Support Activities for Mothers 1 to 3 Months Postpartum Conducted at Maternity Hospitals","volume":"57","author":"Araki","year":"2016","journal-title":"Jpn. J. Matern. Health"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Richards, E.A., and Woodcox, S. (2021). Barriers and Motivators to Physical Activity Prior to Starting a Community-Based Walking Program. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph182010659"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-200029030-00003","article-title":"Physical Activity and Mental Health","volume":"29","author":"Paluska","year":"2000","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"246","DOI":"10.1007\/s12529-010-9075-z","article-title":"Sedentary behavior and depression among adults: A review","volume":"17","author":"Teychenne","year":"2010","journal-title":"Int. J. Behav. Med."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2026, January 08). Vital Statistics, Available online: https:\/\/www.mhlw.go.jp\/english\/database\/db-hw\/vs01.html."},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"852","article-title":"Effects of aerobic exercise performed during pregnancy on hypertension and gestational diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"63","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit."},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"Matsuzaki, M. (2012). Effects of aerobic exercise on endothelial function including oxidative stress biomarkers. Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research. Res. Rep., 23792638. Available online: https:\/\/kaken.nii.ac.jp\/ja\/file\/KAKENHI-PROJECT-23792638\/23792638seika.pdf."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.3418\/jjam.27.83","article-title":"Evaluation of programs to improve mental and physical health","volume":"27","author":"Konno","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Jpn. Acad. Midwifery"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"69","article-title":"A mental health-improvement-program promoting exercise continuance after health promotion class intervention in postpartum females","volume":"51","author":"Kitamura","year":"2016","journal-title":"Hokkaido J. Phys. Educ. Health Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmwh.2006.08.017","article-title":"The role of exercise in treating postpartum depression: A review of the literature","volume":"52","author":"Amanda","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Midwifery Womens Health"},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Torashima, S. (2022). Physiological Basis of Bounce Exercise, Book House HD Publishing Co., Ltd.. Available online: https:\/\/www.bookhousehd.com\/ballex.php."},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"585","article-title":"The Influence of Cue Words on Cardiorespiratory Response during Aerobic Exercise Using Balance Ball","volume":"27","author":"Wakimoto","year":"2018","journal-title":"Kawasaki J. Med. Welf."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"272","DOI":"10.1037\/0882-7974.20.2.272","article-title":"Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in Advanced Age: A Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies","volume":"20","author":"Netz","year":"2005","journal-title":"Psychol. Aging"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e684","DOI":"10.3399\/bjgp17X692525","article-title":"Does aerobic exercise reduce postpartum depressive symptoms? a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"67","author":"Ruth","year":"2017","journal-title":"Br. J. Gen. Pract."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1016\/j.infbeh.2015.08.002","article-title":"Maternal and infant activity: Analytic approaches for the study of circadian rhythm","volume":"41","author":"Karen","year":"2015","journal-title":"Infant Behav. Dev."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xu, H., Liu, R., Wang, X., and Yang, J. (2023). Effectiveness of aerobic exercise in the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression: Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 18.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0287650"},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"35","article-title":"Literature review of fatigue among pregnant women in Japan","volume":"101","author":"Yamada","year":"2021","journal-title":"Tech. Bull. Tokushima Bunri Univ."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Marconcin, P., Peralta, M., Gouveia, \u00c9.R., Ferrari, G., Carra\u00e7a, E., Ihle, A., and Marques, A. (2021). Effects of Exercise during Pregnancy on Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses. Biology, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/biology10121331"},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"LaReine, C. (2005). Exercise Balls for Dummies, For Dummies Publishing Co., Ltd.. Available online: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Exercise-Balls-Dummies-LaReine-Chabut\/dp\/0764556231."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1088\/0031-9120\/50\/3\/335","article-title":"Behavior of a bouncing ball","volume":"50","author":"Cross","year":"2015","journal-title":"Phys. Educ."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"35","article-title":"Relationship of the occurrence of sports injury and disability with moods and emotions in university female athletes: A survey with the Japanese-version Short-form of POMS","volume":"5","author":"Tatsumi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Jpn. J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"7","article-title":"Physical exercise and the lactating woman: A qualitative pilot study of mothers\u2019 perceptions and experiences","volume":"12","author":"Rich","year":"2004","journal-title":"Breastfeed. Rev."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1007\/s10995-005-0025-3","article-title":"Weight, diet, and physical activity-related beliefs and practices among pregnant and postpartum Latino women: The role of social support","volume":"10","author":"Thornton","year":"2006","journal-title":"Matern. Child Health J."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"485","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2006.07.001","article-title":"The Dutch famine and its long-term consequences","volume":"82","author":"Roseboom","year":"2006","journal-title":"Early Hum. Dev."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Navas, A., Carrascosa, M.d.C., Artigues, C., Ortas, S., Portells, E., Soler, A., Ya\u00f1ez, A.M., Bennasar-Veny, M., and Leiva, A. (2022). Effectiveness of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Water Exercise during Pregnancy on Quality of Life and Postpartum Depression: A Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial. J. Clin. Med., 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm10112432"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1552-6909.2006.00030.x","article-title":"Stages of Change, Processes of Change, and Social Support for Exercise and Weight Gain in Postpartum Women","volume":"35","author":"Keller","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Obstet. Gynecol. Neonatal Nurs."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"427","DOI":"10.2337\/db13-1848","article-title":"Exercise before and during pregnancy prevents the deleterious effects of maternal high-fat feeding on metabolic health of male offspring","volume":"64","author":"Stanford","year":"2015","journal-title":"Diabetes"}],"container-title":["Brain Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3425\/16\/2\/133\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]],"date-time":"2026-01-27T09:32:34Z","timestamp":1769506354000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3425\/16\/2\/133"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2]]}},"alternative-id":["brainsci16020133"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/brainsci16020133","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-3425"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-3425","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,27]]}}}