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Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Affective responses to exercise are dependent on intensity rather than total work.
Marcus Kilpatrick1, Robert Kraemer, John Bartholomew
1School of Physical Education and Exercise Science, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. mkilpatrick@coedu.usf.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|September 1, 2007
Summary
Higher intensity exercise, even with equal work, leads to less positive feelings and increased exertion. Exercise intensity below the ventilatory threshold (VT) is recommended for better affective responses.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Affective Science
- Sports Science
Background:
- Understanding affective responses to exercise is crucial for adherence.
- Previous research has explored intensity and duration effects, but equal work comparisons are less common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare affective responses between two cycle ergometry bouts of differing intensity and duration but equal total work.
- To investigate the impact of exercise intensity relative to ventilatory threshold (VT) on feelings during exercise.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-seven participants completed a graded exercise test to determine VT and peak oxygen consumption.
- Two cycling trials were performed: 30 min at 85% VT and ~24 min at 105% VT, with work equated.
- Affective valence and arousal were measured during exercise.
Main Results:
- The higher-intensity (105% VT) bout resulted in significantly higher heart rate, exertion, and less positive affective valence compared to the lower-intensity (85% VT) bout.
- Affective valence decreased significantly during the higher-intensity bout but remained stable during the lower-intensity bout.
- No significant differences in felt arousal were observed between the two conditions.
Conclusions:
- The decline in pleasure during higher-intensity exercise is independent of total caloric expenditure.
- Exercise prescriptions focusing on intensity below the ventilatory threshold (VT) are supported by these findings for promoting positive affective responses.
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