The Influence of Various Distraction Stimuli on Affective Responses during Recumbent Cycle Ergometry

Paul Miller,Eric Hall,Elizabeth Bailey

doi:10.3390/sports4020021

Abstract

(1) Background: Acute bouts of exercise have been associated with affective changes. Exercise supplemented with distraction may divert attention from unpleasant feelings commonly associated with exercise to more pleasant feelings. The purpose of this study was to compare affective responses to exercise with and without distraction. (2) Methods: 25 individuals volunteered for this investigation and completed all three conditions. This study included three 30 min cycle ergometry exercise conditions, a control condition with no stimuli and two test conditions; one supplemented with a self-selected video and the other self-selected music. The Feeling Scale (FS) was administered prior to, every 10 min during, immediately following, and 10 min post exercise. (3) Results: These data demonstrate a significant condition effect for FS during exercise. The condition effect was due to FS being greater in the video and distraction conditions. There was no time by condition interaction seen during exercise. (4) Conclusion: These data indicate that distraction may be effective in supporting a more pleasant exercise experience and could potentially increase exercise adherence.

Highlights

Physical inactivity and adherence to exercise continue to be on-going problems in contemporary society
Recent evidence suggests that 44% of US adults are aerobically active and 28% are highly active [1] according to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [2]
Exercise intensity was assessed by recording heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) [31]

Summary

Introduction

Physical inactivity and adherence to exercise continue to be on-going problems in contemporary society. Recent evidence suggests that 44% of US adults are aerobically active and 28% are highly active [1] according to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans [2]. These guidelines call for 150 min of moderate intensity physical activity per week. The authors advocate that other variables such as personality, social cognitive, socioeconomic and environmental factors need to be taken into consideration. This focus on behavioral characteristics related to physical activity participation is warranted

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