Bixby, W. R., Lochbaum, M. R., & Parson, M. (2006). The effects of choice on the temporal dynamics of affective response associated with acute exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 1000.

This study examined the influence of modality choice on affective response during and following exercise. It was hypothesized that affective response during and following a most preferred activity would be rated as more pleasant than that observed during and following a least preferred activity. College-aged female university students from fitness classes (N = 42) completed an exercise preference questionnaire and then performed their most preferred activity, least preferred activity, and a lecture control condition on separate days. The activity conditions were an instructor led aerobics class, exercising on cardiovascular equipment, and jogging on an indoor track. Each condition consisted of a 5-minute baseline period, a 30-minute activity period, and a 15-minute recovery period. The Feeling Scale, Felt Arousal Scale, and RPE scale were completed at the end of the 5-minute baseline period, at 5, 15, and 25 minutes into the activity period, and at 5 and 15 minutes into the recovery period.

Feeling Scale scores were higher during the activity and recovery periods in the most preferred activity compared to the least preferred and control conditions, and were higher during the activity in the control compared to the least preferred condition. Felt Arousal Scale scores were higher during the activity and recovery periods in the most and least preferred compared to the control condition. RPE scores were higher during the activity and recovery periods in the most and least preferred conditions compared to the control condition, and were higher during the activity and recovery periods in the least preferred condition compared to the most preferred condition.

Implication. Ss experience a more pleasant activated state during and following a most preferred activity when compared to a least preferred and control/lecture activity. Perceived exertion was higher in the least preferred activity than in the most preferred activity, indicating it was not as pleasant and felt more difficult.

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