The Effect of Adding Lower Intensity Work on Perceived Aversiveness of Exercise

• Published in: Journal of sport & exercise psychology 2000-06, Vol.22 (2), p.119-130
• Main Authors: Brewer, Britton W., Manos, Tina M., McDevitt, Anne V., Cornelius, Allen E., Van Raalte, Judy L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exercise; Health; Sports psychology
• ISSN: 0895-2779; 1543-2904
• DOI: 10.1123/jsep.22.2.119

Two studies tested the hypothesis that exertional trend influences perceived aversiveness of an exercise bout. In Study 1, participants (64 women and 26 men) read descriptions of 8 fictitious people’s ratings of perceived exertion during exercise sessions on a stationary bicycle, including a 15-min session with a pattern of increasing exertion and a 20-min session with a pattern of exertion identical to the 15-min session with the addition of a 5-min period of reduced exertion at the end. Despite a greater overall workload, the 20-min session was perceived as significantly less aversive than the 15-min session. In Study 2, participants (11 women and 9 men) completed 15- and 20-min sessions on a cycle ergometer with the same basic exertional patterns as in Study 1. Ratings of the aversiveness of the 2 sessions did not differ significantly, despite the difference in duration. Results demonstrate that adding a period of reduced exertion attenuates the perceived aversiveness of a bout of exercise.