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Can the Affective Response to Exercise Predict Future Motives and Physical Activity Behavior? A Systematic Review of
1Behavioural Medicine Laboratory, Faculty of Education, University of Victoria, PO Box 3015 STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P1, Canada, rhodes@uvic.ca.
Background:
Consistent with hedonic theories of behavior, the affective response to physical activity has been posited as an important determinant of future physical activity; yet, we are unaware of an overview of evidence regarding this relationship.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to review the published literature regarding whether the affective response to physical activity relates to future physical activity behavior and key motivational constructs.
Methods:
A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was undertaken.
Results:
Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. A positive change in the basic affective response during moderate intensity exercise was linked to future physical activity, but postexercise affect had a null relationship. Affective responses during and after exercise had a relatively negligible relationship with intention, mixed results for self-efficacy, and a reliable correlation with affective judgments about future physical activity.
Discussion:
The findings support the basic premise of hedonic theory. Practical application studies with a focus on sustained behavioral interventions are warranted.
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