CHANGES IN SUBJECTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES SUBSEQUENT TO THREE EXERCISE STIMULI

Abstract

671 The psychological effects of exercise have been largely examined via assessments of mood/mood disturbance after a period of regular training. In contrast, the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) was recently validated to specifically assess affective responses which may directly result from acute exercise. Thus, this study endeavored to detect subjective affective responsivity (using the SEES) to three acute exercise stimuli: Maximal exercise (ME) via Bruce treadmill protocol, Continuous exercise (CE) using bench stepping, and Intermittent exercise (IE) with 3 min. work-relief intervals. Ten females (23.3 yr.) performed each exercise on separate occasions while being measured for VO2 with open-circuit spirometry(VO2 max = 41.1 ml·kg-1·min-1). The subjects also completed the SEES prior to and following the exercise trials according to McAuley and Courneya (1994). The Repeated Measures ANOVA (p < 0.05) showed significant differences in the intensity (% VO2 max) of the submaximal conditions: CE = 64% > IE = 57% (work = 69%, relief = 45%). Further, IE work > CE > IE relief. The significant SEES findings (+, - changes) are tabled below: TableTableCE and IE yielded similar increases in positive well-being. ME was associated with a decrease in this measure. Respective changes in psychological distress (-) and fatigue (+) were noted among all conditions but signficant only for IE and ME. The results show that changes in psychological responsivity are associated with various acute exercise. The differential outcomes may also indicate the presence of a dose-response effect related to exercise intensity and/or continuous versus intermittment exertion. Therefore, more research is warranted.