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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

Exercise reinforcement: The Motivation to be Physically Active.

Leonard H Epstein^1,2, Kyle D Flack³, James Roemmich¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo.

Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews

|July 8, 2026

Summary

Understanding exercise motivation is key for physical activity. Individual differences in exercise reinforcement can be increased in sedentary adults, influencing activity choices.

Keywords:

Exercise as a reinforcer behavioral choice children and adults discomfort tolerance individual differences in exercise reinforcement reinforcer sensitization

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Area of Science:

Behavioral science
Exercise physiology
Computational modeling

Background:

Physical activity is crucial for health, yet motivation varies significantly among individuals.
The reinforcing value of exercise, a key predictor of physical activity, shows substantial individual differences.
Sedentary adults represent a population where increasing exercise reinforcement may be particularly impactful.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the relationship between exercise reinforcement and physical activity levels.
To investigate methods for increasing the reinforcing value of exercise in sedentary individuals.
To develop a computational model illustrating the choice between active and sedentary behaviors.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on exercise motivation and reinforcement.
Analysis of factors influencing individual differences in exercise reinforcement.
Development and application of a computational model for behavioral choice.

Main Results:

Individual differences in exercise reinforcement significantly predict physical activity engagement.
Exercise reinforcement is a modifiable factor, with potential for increase in sedentary populations.
The computational model provides insights into the decision-making process between physical activity and sedentary alternatives.

Conclusions:

Targeting and enhancing exercise reinforcement holds promise for increasing physical activity.
Understanding individual differences in reinforcement is critical for effective motivation strategies.
Computational modeling can elucidate the mechanisms underlying choices between active and sedentary lifestyles.