Positive Exercise Experiences Research Articles

Running High: Cannabis Users' Subjective Experience of Exercise During Legal Market Cannabis Use Versus No Use in a Naturalistic Setting.

Background: The use of cannabis with various forms of exercise (e.g., running) has received increased media attention in recent years, contradicting the popular stereotype that cannabis is associated with sedentary behavior. Although cross-sectional evidence suggests a positive association between cannabis use and exercise engagement, to date, the acute effects of cannabis on exercise remain unclear. Methods: The present within-subjects crossover study compared participants' experiences of running after ad libitum use of legal market cannabis (cannabis run) to running without cannabis (non-cannabis run) in a real-world setting. Participants (n=49) were cannabis users between the ages of 21 and 49 years (mean=30.82, standard deviation [SD]=6.21). The majority of participants were male (61.5%) and non-Hispanic White (81.6%). Results: Participants (n=49) ran an average of 3.88 miles (SD=2.28) during their cannabis and non-cannabis runs. Although participants ran an average of 31 seconds/mile slower during their cannabis run, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.12). Participants reported experiencing (1) less negative affect (p=0.03), (2) greater feelings of positive affect (p<0.001), tranquility (p=0.004), enjoyment (p=0.004), and dissociation (p=0.001), and (3) more runner's high symptoms (p<0.001) during their cannabis (vs. non-cannabis) runs. Participants also reported lower pain levels after their cannabis (vs. non-cannabis) run (p=0.03). Perceived exertion did not differ between runs (p=0.33). Cannabis form, cannabinoid content, and feelings of "high" were largely unrelated to participants' experience of exercise while under the influence of cannabis. Conclusions: Results suggest that acute cannabis use may be associated with a more positive exercise experience among regular cannabis users. Research using varied methodologies, a range of exercise modalities, and diverse populations is needed to establish the long-term harms and benefits associated with this behavior, as well as the generalizability of these findings to other populations and settings.

An exploratory study of exercise behaviours and barriers to participation in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a focus on resistance training.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the exercise behaviours and barriers in people with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), with a particular focus on resistance training (RT). Ninety-four Australian adults with a diagnosis of CMT completed an online survey. Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported performing some form of RT each week. Those performing RT engaged in more aerobic activity (P≤0.01) and were involved in longer periods of structured exercise (P<0.01) compared to those not performing RT. The RT group was more likely to perceive their exercise levels as acceptable (P<0.01), that following a program was important (P=0.02), and that exercise is beneficial (P=0.04). The RT group were more likely to have been advised to exercise (P=0.02). Common barriers to exercise were fatigue (64.9%), pain (57.4%), motivation (51.1%), and time (46.8%). RT status did not influence the type of barriers experienced. Weekly RT time was positively associated with exercise satisfaction (r=0.43, P<0.01) and walking distance prior to resting (r=0.29, P=0.04). The findings suggest that positive exercise experiences, advice, assistance from a trainer, and potentially greater resources may influence participation in RT for people with CMT.

Health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024: A cross-sectional study.

The health and fitness sector is evolving and appears to be an important field not only for consumers but also for gym operators/managers, exercise professionals, training providers and educators with great potential worldwide. Our aim of this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the most attractive health and fitness trends in Iran for the first time and to observe any potential differences with the recent results reported in other regions. A national online survey was conducted, using the methodology of similar international surveys conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine since 2007. In total, a web-based questionnaire was sent to 7158 professionals who worked in the Iranian health and fitness industry. A total of 408 responses were collected with a response rate of 5.7%. The 10 most important health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024 were strength training with free weights, exercise for weight loss, group training, low-cost and budget gyms, dance-based workouts, outdoor activities, Pilates, bodyweight training, core training and aquatic exercise. The present findings are not fully aligned with those reported for the top health and fitness trends internationally, showing that trends related to technology and health are not yet popular nationwide. Such outcomes may support all industry stakeholders with making important business decisions, professional development opportunities and innovative concepts to enhance customer engagement through positive exercise experiences.

Social reward and support effects on exercise experiences and performance: Evidence from parkrun.

There is growing academic, civic and policy interest in the public health benefits of community-based exercise events. Shifting the emphasis from competitive sport to communal activity, these events have wide appeal. In addition to physical health benefits, regular participation can reduce social isolation and loneliness through opportunities for social connection. Taking a broad evolutionary and social psychological perspective, we suggest that social factors warrant more attention in current approaches to physical (in)activity and exercise behavior. We develop and test the hypothesis that social reward and support in exercise are associated with positive exercise experiences and greater performance outputs. Using a repeated-measures design, we examine the influence of social perceptions and behavior on subjective enjoyment, energy, fatigue, effort, and objective performance (run times) among a UK sample of parkrun participants. Social factors were associated with greater subjective enjoyment and energy. Higher subjective energy, in turn, was associated with faster run times, without any corresponding increase in perceived effort. No significant main effects of social factors on fatigue, performance or effort were detected. The role of social structural factors has long been recognized in public health approaches to physical activity. Our results indicate that there should be greater research attention on how positive and rewarding social behaviors and experiences—particularly subjective enjoyment and energy, and perceptions of community social support and belonging—influence exercise-related behavior, psychology and physiology, and promote health through collective physical activity. The research also supplements traditional emphases on social facilitation and team sport that have dominated sport and exercise psychology and offers new avenues for understanding the deep connections among psychological, social and physical function in everyday health.

The Efficacy of a Group-Based Exercise Program for Postmenopausal Women: A Preliminary Study

Background: Exercise has many physiological and psychosocial benefits for postmenopausal women. Previous research has shown that sedentary postmenopausal women of North Queensland perceive a number of barriers to exercise; however, when they are given the right opportunity, they perceive it as a positive experience. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether an 8-week aerobic and resistance group-based exercise intervention had an effect on the physiological and psychosocial health of postmenopausal women living in North Queensland. A secondary aim was to explore the participatory experiences of women. Methods: A total of thirty-three postmenopausal women volunteered for the intervention, which consisted of group-based circuit style sessions three times per week, incorporating aerobic and resistance exercises. Primary outcome measures included blood pressure, blood lipids, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, cardiorespiratory fitness, peripheral bone density, and strength. Secondary measures included exercise self-efficacy and menopausal quality of life using the Menopause- Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). Focus groups were conducted post-intervention to discuss participants’ exercise experiences. Results: A total of twenty-six women completed the eight-week program. Significant increases were found in cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.00), upper body strength (p=0.00), lower body strength (p=0.00), exercise self-efficacy (p=0.00), and the MENQOL psychosocial (p=0.01), physical (p=0.00) and sexual (p=0.01) domains. Waist girth (p=0.01) and triglycerides (p=0.02) were significantly decreased. Participants also reported that they had more motivation and confidence, increased strength, and improved functional activities, and also experienced the disappearance of pain and positive feelings from the intervention. Participants mostly enjoyed the social effect, the lack of feeling self-conscious, the friendly competitiveness, and the facilitator. Conclusion: An 8-week group-based exercise intervention can improve the physiological and psychosocial health of postmenopausal women. Sedentary postmenopausal women can have a positive exercise experience, which may increase the likelihood of future exercise participation.

Green Exercise: Can Nature Video Benefit Isometric Exercise?

Green exercise is the combination of physical activity and nature exposure, which has been associated with positive effects on psychophysiological health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nature video viewing on isometric exercise and find a useful practice for green exercise in urban living. In the current study, 18 male subjects were recruited in a randomized crossover trial and underwent a sequence of wall squat exercises. The whole experiment contained three periods of baseline (before exercise), exercise, and recovery (after exercise), and each period lasted for 2 min. A video of forest walking was played in the exercise and recovery periods as treatment, while a black screen was set as control. The Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) and Feeling Scale (FS) were employed to measure perceived exertion and affective responses in the exercise period; heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) including the standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the standard deviations of the Poincaré plot (SD1), were recorded in the three periods. Heart rate recovery (HRR) in the recovery period was further calculated based on 30 s and 60 s time frames. Results demonstrated that during the exercise period nature video viewing was associated with better affective responses (median of 1.00 and an interquartile (IQR) of 2.00, p = 0.017), lower perceived exertion (median = 6.00, IQR = 2.00, p = 0.021), and lower HR (median = 89.60, IQR = 20.94, p = 0.01), but the differences in HRV indices between the experimental settings were not statistically significant. In the recovery period, significantly higher values of RMSSD (median = 34.88, IQR = 24.52, p = 0.004), SD1 (median = 24.75, IQR = 17.41, p = 0.003), and HR (median = 84.18, IQR = 16.58, p = 0.001) were observed in the treatment setting, whereas no statistically significant difference was found for HRR. In general, our findings support that nature video viewing may help reduce perceived exertion, increase exercise pleasure, buffer heart rate, and improve cardiac autonomic recovery for wall squat exercising, which implies the potential of nature-based stimuli in green exercise. However, due to the limited research sample, further study may need to include female participants and focus on various populations to confirm the effectiveness of using virtual and environments depicting nature at home or in public exercise places to promote positive exercise experience.

Sticking to It: A Scoping Review of Adherence to Exercise Therapy Interventions in Children and Adolescents With Musculoskeletal Conditions.

To identify and categorize barriers, facilitators, and strategies to boost exercise therapy adherence in youth with musculoskeletal conditions to inform research and clinical practice. Scoping review. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, PEDro, and ProQuest from inception to October 1, 2019. Studies written in English, with original data featuring an adherence barrier, facilitator, or boosting strategy for exercise therapy in youth (age, 19 years or younger) with musculoskeletal conditions, were included. Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guided data synthesis. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Descriptive consolidation included study and sample characteristics, exercise therapy details, and adherence measurement specifics. Inductive thematic analysis of adherence barriers, facilitators, and boosting strategies followed Braun and Clarke's 6-step guide. Of 5705 potentially relevant records, 41 studies, representing 2020 participants (64% girls; age range, 2-19 years) with 12 different musculoskeletal conditions and multiple exercise therapy interventions, were included. Despite poor reporting of adherence concepts, time constraints, physical environment (eg, location), and negative exercise experiences were commonly identified barriers. Social support and positive exercise experiences were frequently identified facilitators. Reinforcement, exercise program modification, and education were recurring boosting strategies, despite being infrequent barriers or facilitators. A diversity of barriers to and facilitators of exercise therapy for youth with musculoskeletal conditions were identified. Efforts to link adherence-boosting strategies to an individual's needs should be considered. Making exercise enjoyable, social, and convenient may be important to maximizing adherence in this population. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(9):503-515. Epub 1 Aug 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9715.

Social identification, exercise participation, and positive exercise experiences: Evidence from parkrun

ABSTRACTGrowing evidence suggests that social identities may have profound implications for physical activity participation. Real-world examinations of this relationship have, however, been lacking, with research predominantly examining intentions and hypothetical scenarios. To address this shortcoming and further advance understanding in this area, the present study tested relationships between group identification, participation, two exercise-specific outcomes (exercise-specific satisfaction and group cohesion), and a broad health indicator (life satisfaction) among individuals recruited from parkrun. Participants (N = 289) completed questionnaires measuring all variables except participants’ parkrun participation, which was objectively assessed. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that group identification was significantly associated with greater participation, exercise-specific satisfaction, group cohesion, and life satisfaction. Findings provide real-world evidence of the health-related benefits associated with forming strong social identities in exercise settings.

Choice and perceptions of exercise: A test of three moderating variables

ObjectivesThis study tested whether choice over ostensibly different exercise bike programs alters the positivity of an exercise experience, attitudes towards exercising, post-exercise mood, intentions to engage in exercise in the future, and desire to receive more information about exercise. Further we assessed whether the influence of choice-making on these dependent measures was moderated by the number of choice options, choice instrumentality, and domain familiarity. DesignOne-hundred fifty participants that varied in their use of bikes for exercise were randomized into a 3 (choice options) x 2 (choice instrumentality) between-subjects design. Participants' prior experience exercising on a bike was recorded and used as an additional predictor variable. MethodsFor the choice options manipulation, participants either made no choice or decided between 2 or 5 ostensibly different exercise bike programs. For the choice instrumentality manipulation, half of the participants were told that their program selection could improve their bike riding experience, whereas the other half were not given this information. All participants exercised on a stationary bike in the laboratory for a 10-min period using the same standardized program. ResultsChoice options and exercise bike familiarity interacted to determine outcomes. Specifically, opportunity for choice increased positive exercise experience, attitudes towards physical activity, exercise intentions, and the desire to receive more information—but only among those who had prior experience using a bike to exercise. ConclusionsResults provide support for the use of choice as a technique for increasing liking and intentions toward exercise for those with prior experience with the exercise activity.

Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

Physical activity (PA), including engagement in structured exercise, has a key role in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, maintaining a physically active lifestyle is a challenge...

Qualitative Investigation of Exercise Perceptions and Experiences in People With Multiple Sclerosis Before, During, and After Participation in a Personally Tailored Exercise Program

ObjectiveTo undertake a qualitative investigation of exercise perceptions and experiences in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) before, during, and after participation in a personally tailored program designed to promote long-term maintenance of self-directed exercise. DesignFocus groups and semistructured telephone interviews. SettingUniversity exercise science department close to the recruiting hospital. ParticipantsPwMS (N=33; mean age ± SD, 47.6±7.9y). InterventionsParticipants were recruited after participation in a randomized controlled exercise trial; all had been allocated to a 12-week exercise program comprising supervised and self-directed exercise sessions. Main Outcome MeasuresExercise perceptions and experiences before, during, and after participation in the program. ResultsFour themes emerged from the analysis: (1) the transition to inactivity; (2) lack of knowledge and confidence; (3) positive exercise experiences; and (4) perspectives on exercise adherence. ConclusionsLack of confidence and exercise knowledge, coupled with negative perceptions about physical capabilities after an MS diagnosis, are clear barriers to exercise participation in PwMS. These issues are not being adequately addressed as part of the health care pathway or in community settings. Perceptions of improved posture, ability to overcome everyday difficulties, acute mood enhancements during and after exercise, and increased opportunities for social interaction were among the reported benefits of exercise participation. Despite the provision of a personally tailored exercise plan and use of cognitive behavioral strategies, self-directed exercise continued to present challenges to PwMS, and the importance of seeking cost-effective ways to maintain motivational support was implicit in participant responses.

An Exercise in Resistance: Inoculation Messaging as a Strategy for Protecting Motivation During a Monotonous and Controlling Exercise Class.

Sustained attention has been devoted to studying the factors that support (or thwart) individuals' enjoyment of, interest in, and value judgments regarding their exercise activities. We employed a resistance-inducing (i.e., inoculation theory) messaging technique with the aim of protecting these desirable perceptions in the face of environmental conditions designed to undermine one's positive exercise experiences. Autonomously motivated exercisers (N = 146, Mage = 20.57, SD = 4.02) performed a 25-min, group-based, instructor-led exercise circuit, in which the activities were deliberately monotonous, and during which the confederate instructor acted in a disinterested, unsupportive, and critical manner. Shortly before the session, participants received either a control message containing general information about the exercise class or an inoculation message containing a forewarning about potential challenges to participants' enjoyment/interest/value perceptions during the class, as well as information about how participants might maintain positive perceptions in the face of these challenges. Despite there being no between-conditions differences in presession mood or general exercise motives, inoculated (relative to control) participants reported greater interest/enjoyment in the exercise session and higher perceptions of need support from the instructor. Perceptions of need support mediated the relationship between message condition and interest/enjoyment.

Qualitative perspectives on aquatic exercise initiation and satisfaction among persons with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: To identify the individual and social experiences underlying the initiation and satisfaction with aquatic exercise among persons with MS.Methods: A convenience sample (n = 45) of persons aged ≥18 with MS who had engaged in water-based exercise within the previous six months completed a 60–90 min semi-structured telephone interview regarding their aquatic exercise experiences.Results: An aquatic exercise history was not a prerequisite for the adoption of aquatic exercise. Rather, participants described aquatic exercise routines as stemming from recognition of a decline in physical function combined with encouragement and invitations to join aquatic programs. Despite regular visits, health care providers were not a common source of information regarding the feasibility of aquatic exercise. Participants’ aquatic activities included MS-specific and generalized aquatics courses, with class satisfaction resting on the instructor, class “fit” and a feeling of acceptance.Conclusion: Communication regarding local aquatic opportunities is critical for ensuring aquatics engagement among persons with MS. Providers could play a stronger role in emphasizing the feasibility and benefits of aquatic programs. In addition, persons with MS should be encouraged to try local MS and more generalized aquatic programs in order to identify a program matching their social and physical goals.Implications for RehabilitationDirected communication regarding aquatic opportunities is essential to prompting the initiation of aquatic exerciseBoth MS-specific and general aquatics classes can provide positive exercise experiences for persons with MSA history of regular exercise or aquatic experiences is not a prerequisite for the initiation of aquatic exercise among persons with MSHealth care provider visits may represent missed opportunities for promoting aquatics; providers should consider the suitability of aquatics for all patients with MS, regardless of the patient’s exercise history.

A Preliminary Investigation Into the Use of the Emotional Contagion Effect in the Exercise Environment

Based upon the theory of Emotional Contagion, the purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the use of positively-charged imagery could create a more positive exercise experience. Participants were randomly allocated into one of three test conditions (‘neutral’, ‘happy’ and control) whereupon they performed two step-aerobic sessions; baseline/familiarisation and experimental. Upon completion of the trials various exercise related, psychological measures were taken (Session RPE, FS, Enjoyment and Subjective Exercise Experience). A 3 × 2 Factorial MANOVA was used to assess for main effects and between condition interactions. There was no evidence of any effect for any of the DVs. ES data appeared to support this conclusion. Numerous recommendations are made to direct future research into this area.

Positive Exercise Experience Facilitates Behavior Change via Self-Efficacy.

Motivational processes can be set in motion when positive consequences of physical exercise are experienced. However, relationships between positive exercise experience and determinants of the motivational and the volitional phases of exercise change have attracted only sparse attention in research. This research examines direct and indirect associations between positive experience and motivational as well as volitional self-efficacy, intention, action planning, and exercise in two distinct longitudinal samples. The first one originates from an online observational study in the general population with three measurement points in time (N = 350) and the second one from a clinical intervention study in a rehabilitation context with four measurement points (N = 275). Structural equation modeling revealed the following: Positive experience is directly related with motivational self-efficacy as well as intentions in both samples. In the online sample only, positive experience is associated with volitional self-efficacy. In each sample, experience is indirectly associated with action planning via motivational self-efficacy and intentions. Moreover, action planning, in turn, predicts changes in physical exercise levels. Findings suggest a more prominent role of positive experience in the motivational than in the volitional phase of physical exercise change. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of how positive experience is involved in the behavior change process.

Standardized rescue training as part of an exercise program for knee osteoarthritis: proof of concept

Purpose: Exercise is recommended as one of the primary treatments for patients with knee Osteoarthritis (OA) with known effects on knee pain, mobility, and function. Knee OA pain fluctuates and therefore previously published exercise programs suggest avoiding exercises if excessive knee pain is present. However, applying an exercise program that includes a standardized rescue program would allow the patients to attend an exercise session despite excess pain, and such approach could reduce the current pain intensity because general pain reduction is a known effect of exercise. Although there is a wealth of studies investigating the effectiveness of exercise in patients with knee OA, no such standardised rescue program has been described previously. The aim of this study was to asses if participants referred to a rescue program due to excessive pre-session pain would experience a decrease in pain after rescue exercise. Methods: We used data from a randomized trial of exercise therapy versus no attention (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01545258). 31 participants were allocated to the exercise program in the underlying study. These participants exercised for approximately 1 hour 3 times per week for 12 weeks (i.e. 36 possible sessions) supervised by a trained physical therapist. Pre and post exercise pain was recorded using a numeric rating scale (NRS, from 0=no pain to 10=excruciating pain). The standardized exercise program consisted of 6 focus areas; core strength and control, hip stability, hip abductor strength, knee stability, quadriceps strengthening, and functional training applying the basic exercises into functional tasks. A rescue program was applied if the participant scored a pre-session knee pain of 5 NRS or higher. The rescue program was similar to the full program but excluded weight bearing activities and consisted of 15 minutes warm-up on an ergometer bike followed by 3 exercises: core stability, hip stability and hip strengthening. The 3 exercises were repeated after 5 minutes of cycling. Results: Of the 31 participants, 5 (16%) was referred to the rescue program between 2 and 8 times during the 12 week period; 2 were referred twice, 2 were referred four times, and 1 was referred eight times. The maximum number of consecutive rescue sessions was 3 times for one participant. In 15 rescue sessions (75%) the participants experienced a decrease in pain. On 4 occasions (20%) the participants experienced no change in pain intensity, and at 1 occasion (5%) a participant experienced an increase in pain intensity (from 6 NRS to 7 NRS). The mean pre-rescue pain intensity was 6.7 (min: 6; max: 9), and the mean post-rescue pain intensity was 3.9 (min: 0; max: 7). The average decrease in pain following a rescue session was 2.9 (min: -1; max: 9). Individual pre- and post rescue session pain ratings are shown in figure 1. Conclusion: Implementing a standardized rescue program is effective in terms of reducing pain intensity in case of excessive pre-session pain. We believe that the rescue program gives the participants a positive exercise experience despite having knee pain that would make conventional exercise unsafe. It is our belief that a rescue program helps increase adherence to an exercise program and hopefully translates into better self-administered exercise routines and habits.

Healthcare provider beliefs about exercise and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

This study describes the experiences of four groups of healthcare providers who facilitate exercise interventions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue. Fatigue is a complex symptom frequently experienced by people with MS, yet it is poorly understood by clinicians and clinical researchers. Historically, clinicians have recommended less physical activity in order to limit fatigue; however, recent experimental studies suggest that regular exercise provides health benefits with little increase in fatigue. We used interpretive description methodology to guide data collection and analysis. Four groups of healthcare providers participated in either focus group discussions or individual interviews. Transcripts were analyzed for key meanings. Healthcare providers described their perceptions of the "nature of fatigue" and how this raised "professional challenges," specifically "barriers to implementation" of interventions, "stirring conflict" among interdisciplinary members, and "modifying roles." The nature of fatigue and professional challenges influenced clinician practice by "demanding creativity" with regard to exercise prescription and advice. Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider strategies of active listening and careful observation when providing individualized exercise programs for people with MS-related fatigue. In addition, recognition and understanding of the complex nature of fatigue by the interdisciplinary team might facilitate more positive exercise experiences for this population.

The effect of cotton and dry wicking materials on temperature, exertion, and feeling during exercise

This study analyzed the thermoregulatory effects of cotton and dry wicking materials during strenuous exercise. The working hypothesis is that dry wicking shirts will keep the participant cooler and possibly allow a better athletic performance. 11 healthy and euhydrated participants (8 females, avg age=20.5 ± 0.7 yr, 3 males, avg age=29 ± 14.1yr) ran on a treadmill for 45 min in a controlled environment (Temp=70 ±1°F, RH=60.5 ±3.5%) at 75% VO2 max. The participants ran 1 trial each in a randomly assigned a long sleeve cotton (COT) or polyester/nylon (PN) shirt. Data was taken every 10 min for 40 min, with a 5 min cool down. No significant difference was observed in hydration level or self‐reported thermal sensation. Core temperature was significantly higher in PN (p≤0.07) except at time=0 and 30 min. Forearm and forehead temperature were significantly higher in PN (p≤0.07) at time ≥ 20 min. Rating of Perceived Exertion was significantly higher with COT (p≤0.07) and Feelings Scale ratings were significantly lower with COT (p≤0.08) at every time point. In conclusion, under identical exertion, participants wearing PN shirts had more positive exercise experience, and dissipated more heat. Our data supports our working hypothesis. Funding provided by Elon University Undergraduate Research Program

Depressive symptoms interfere with post-rehabilitation exercise: Outcome expectancies and experience as mediators

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and physical exercise by unveiling how outcome expectancies regarding exercise and positive exercise experience could mediate between depressive symptoms and exercise. A longitudinal study included 178 cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation patients in Germany. Patients responded to psychometric scales at two points in time with a six-week interval, assessing depressive symptoms (Time 1), outcome expectancies regarding exercise (Time 1), exercise experiences (Time 2), and exercise behavior (Times 1 and 2). Depressive symptoms were negatively related to physical exercise (r =− 0.18), to positive outcome expectancies (r =− 0.23), and to positive exercise experiences (r =− 0.26). In a multiple-step mediation model, expectancies and experiences mediated between depressive symptoms and exercise. In total, 15% of the exercise variance was accounted for. Outcome expectancies and a lack of positive experience seem to partly explain why depressed individuals are less likely to exercise.

Predicting vigorous physical activity using social cognitive theory.

To test Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) in predicting future vigorous physical activity among college students. College students (n=350) completed a set of instruments measuring SCT constructs. Their vigorous physical activity was tracked for 4 weeks. Exercise role identity, self-regulation, outcome expectancy value, social support, self-efficacy, and positive exercise experience accounted for 27% of the variance in days of vigorous physical activity. The results supported the use of SCT in understanding factors associated with vigorous physical activity rates among college students.