Affective Response to Exercise and Preferred Exercise Intensity Among Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Adolescent Health
• Cardiovascular Fitness

Background:

• Limited understanding of adolescent exercise enjoyment and intensity preferences.
• Investigating subgroups of adolescents and their exercise intensity choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the exercise intensity adolescents select when given a choice based on enjoyment.
• To explore the relationship between affective response to exercise and chosen intensity.
• To identify if specific adolescent subgroups engage in higher-intensity exercise.

Main Methods:

• 74 healthy adolescents (mean age 11.09 years) underwent fitness testing.
• Participants completed moderate-intensity and "feels good" exercise tasks.
• Heart rate (HR), work rate (WR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored.

Main Results:

• Adolescents exercised at intensities beneficial for cardiovascular health (66%-72% HR at VO2peak) during the "feels good" task.
• Those with positive affective responses to moderate exercise chose higher intensities (76% peak HR) than others (70% peak HR).
• No significant differences in perceived exertion (RPE) were found between groups.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents naturally select exercise intensities promoting fitness when enjoyment is prioritized.
• A subgroup exercises at higher intensities without increased perceived exertion.
• Focusing on enjoyment may enhance adolescent exercise adherence and fitness benefits.