An Examination of the Feeling Scale to Prescribe Exercise Intensity

Abstract

ACSM recently updated the Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription to include a statement regarding the use of affective valence in prescribing exercise intensity. Limited research has examined this use. PURPOSE: To examine the use of a measure of affective valence, the feeling scale (FS), for exercise prescription. Based on previous research it was hypothesized that an exercise prescription of +3 on the FS result in lower exercise intensity when compared to a prescription of +1 and that both +3 and +1 would lead to an exercise intensity that satisfies the ACSM recommendations for aerobic exercise. METHODS: 20 (10 females) participants completed 3 days of testing. The first day of testing consisted of a graded exercise test to determine ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2max. Additionally, participants completed demographic questionnaires and were introduced to the FS. Day two and three consisted of recumbent cycling for 30 minutes at either a +1 or a +3 on the FS. Heart rate (HR) and RPE were recorded at 10, 20, and 30 min during the exercise. Following each exercise session participants were asked to rate how much they agreed with the statement 'I plan to exercise at this intensity at least 3-5 times over the next two weeks' on a scale of 1 (disagree) to 7 (agree). RESULTS: Significant condition and time effects were found for HR (p <.05) and RPE (p <.01). HR at +1 (139.1, +/- 3.9) was significantly higher than that at +3 (128.2, +/- 3.8). RPE at +1 (12.7, +/-.4) was significantly higher than that at +3 (10.4, +/-.4). HR and RPE both increased from 10 min to 20 min of exercise and then remained elevated at 30 min of exercise. Plan to exercise at each intensity in the future was not different between the conditions (+1 = 4.7 & +3 = 5.1). CONCLUSSION: It appears that the use of the feeling scale to prescribe exercise intensity is effective. In this sample of healthy and fit college-aged participants, prescribing exercise at a +1 led to a HR that was 72% of maximum HR and 80% of VT while a +3 led to a HR that was 66% of maximum HR and 74% of VT. These values fall within ACSM recommendations for aerobic exercise. Additionally, participants agreed with the future plan statement suggesting that using +1 or +3 may improve exercise participation. Further research is needed to determine the usefulness of the feeling scale to prescribe exercise in other populations.