SELECTION OF EXERCISE MODE USING PSYCHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES1213

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare three groups of initial exercisers who had selected one primary mode (walkers, cyclers, and steppers) and their psychological and physiological response to three modes of exercise: treadmill walking (T), stationary cycling(C), and stepping(S). Thirty subjects (mean age 28 ± 7 yrs) performed 20 min of exercise at a self-selected intensity(SS) followed by a ventilatory threshold(VT) exercise test on all three modes of exercise. Heart rate(HR), rate of perceived exertion(RPE), and oxygen consumption(VO2) were measured during all exercise tests. Body weight(BWT), percentage body fat(%BF), and a self-motivation inventory(SM) were measured prior to any exercise testing. A two-way ANOVA p<0.05 with repeated measures on exercise mode was used to analyze the HR, RPE, and VO2 response to exercise. A one-way ANOVA p<0.05 was utilized for the%BF, BWT, and SM. For all groups HR, RPE and VO2 during SS was significantly lower for T than for C and S. The VTVO2 for T was significantly lower than C and S. During SS none of the exercise groups elicited lower physiological responses on their primary mode than the other two modes Percentage body fat was significantly higher for the walkers while no difference existed in BWT among the three groups. Results indicate individuals do not select a mode of exercise based on their physiological response to that mode. Additionally initial exercisers with a higher%BF may select walking as a primary mode of exercise perhaps because walking elicits a lower HR, RPE, and VO2 when compared to cycling and stepping.