Reliability of the Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale in Older Adults

Affective responses to physical exercise vary according to sensory impressions and can influence motor performance. To assess affective states in exercise contexts, scales such as the Felt Arousal Scale and the Feeling Scale are commonly used. Although widely applied, their psychometric properties have not yet been tested in older adults, which limits their use in this population. This test-retest study aimed to test the reliability of these scales in older adults of both sexes. The sample consisted of 80 volunteers (67 women) engaged in either resistance training (n = 37) or functional training (n = 43), with a mean age of 70 ± 9 years. Data collection occurred on two separate days, with a minimum interval of 15 days. The following instruments were applied: (a) Felt Arousal Scale and Feeling Scale at pre-, during (minutes 20 to 25), and post-training; (b) Borg Scale during and after training; and c) Mini-Mental State Examination during the first visit. The results showed strong to very strong correlations for both scales (Feeling Scale: ρ = 0.936 during, ρ = 0.840 post; Felt Arousal Scale: r = 0.967 during, r = 0.887 post), as well as good internal consistency (Feeling Scale: α = 0.887; Felt Arousal Scale: α = 0.860) and excellent temporal stability (Feeling Scale: ICC = 0.925; Felt Arousal Scale: ICC = 0.869). It is concluded that both instruments are reliable for measuring affect and arousal in older adults who engage in physical exercise.