| Description |
Physical exercise increases affect, and increased affect is associated with greater adherence to exercise. Group exercise is a popular form of exercise, yet little is known regarding the impact of exercise intensity and variability on during-exercise affect. Furthermore, little is known regarding the temporal fluctuations of affect across an acute bout of exercise. This study employed a 2-way (intensity X variability) design to explore the impact of exercise intensity (high and low) and variability (high and low) on during-exercise affect in self-selected exercise classes. The temporal nature of affect across the course of an acute bout exercise was also explored. College students (N=48; Age=18-40, M= 21.73, SD=4.49) enrolled in CrossFit® (high intensity, high variability), Cycling (high intensity, low variability), Pilates (low intensity, high variability), and Flexibility for Sport (low intensity, low variability) classes completed surveys of affect (Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale), and intensity (Rating of Perceived Exertion) before, during, and after their workout. Using a one-way ANOVA, during-exercise RPE scores verified that the groups varied by intensity, F(1,46)=16.078, p < .001. Direct observation confirmed variability differences. Using a one-way ANOVA, during-exercise Feeling Scale results indicated a significant effect of exercise class intensity, F(1, 47)=5.651, p=.022. Similarly, during-exercise Felt Arousal Scale results indicated a significant effect of class intensity, F(1,47)=13.318, p<.001. Results did not indicate a significant effect of exercise variability on affective responses. Graphical results of FS and FAS responses on the Circumplex Model of Affect revealed distinct fluctuations of affect in the classes. The practical importance of these findings in relation to affect and exercise adherence are discussed. |
