Measurements of Acute Affective Responses to Resistance Exercise: A Narrative Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Exercise-related affect should be measured in task to avoid rebound effects (i.e., immediate increases of positive valence, likely due to the relief of exercise cessation), but the general timing and frequency of affect measurement is unclear with respect to resistance exercise, which has a discontinuous nature (i.e., the entirety of the bout is broken up by periods of rest). This narrative review aims to synthesize literature regarding the affect measurement protocols during acute resistance exercise. A systematic search of three databases yielded 28 articles, 26 describing total-body sessions, one focused on lower-body exercise, and one focused on upper body exercise. In-task ratings were recorded in only 12 studies, based on either set completion (e.g., after every, or every third set) or time (e.g., after the midpoint exercise, every 10 min). All ratings occurred during rest intervals, but prompt specificity was reported in only two studies and framed as “right now” rather than “during exercise.” Overall, protocols varied and raise concerns that rebound effects cannot be ruled out because ratings were not taken during physical exertion. Conversely, a higher standard of reporting is necessary to determine that prompts were designed to capture accurate in-task affective responses. Specifically, researchers should indicate the precise verbiage used to obtain in-task ratings, especially if prompts are given postset. Future research should also seek to identify the peak (i.e., most salient point) of a set to represent the in-task affective responses.