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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
06:28
A Chronic High-Intensity Interval Training and Diet-Induced Obesity Model to Maximize Exercise Effort and Induce Physiologic Changes in Rats
Published on: April 28, 2023
The invisible benefits of exercise
Matthew B Ruby1, Elizabeth W Dunn, Andrea Perrino
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC. matt@psych.ubc.ca
Summary
People often underestimate their enjoyment of exercise due to focusing on the difficult start. This bias can be overcome, potentially boosting exercise intentions and promoting physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology of Exercise
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Individuals frequently mispredict their affective experiences.
- Understanding affective forecasting biases is crucial for promoting health behaviors like exercise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether people underestimate their enjoyment of exercise.
- To identify the psychological mechanisms behind this underestimation.
- To explore strategies for improving exercise enjoyment predictions and intentions.
Main Methods:
- Four studies involving 279 adult participants.
- Participants predicted and reported exercise enjoyment.
- Measured intention to exercise as a key outcome.
Main Results:
- Consistent underestimation of exercise enjoyment across various exercise types and intensities.
- Affective forecasting bias attributed to 'forecasting myopia'—overemphasizing the unpleasant start of workouts.
- Interventions successfully altered forecasting myopia, increasing predicted enjoyment.
Conclusions:
- Exercise enjoyment is underestimated due to a focus on the initial discomfort.
- Addressing forecasting myopia can enhance exercise enjoyment predictions.
- Improved exercise enjoyment forecasts are linked to increased intention to engage in physical activity.
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