Affective Responses to Prescribed and Self-Selected Strength Training Intensities

• Published in: Perceptual and motor skills Vol. 121; no. 2; pp. 465 - 481
• Main Authors: Portugal, Eduardo M. M., Lattari, Eduardo, Santos, Tony M., Deslandes, Andrea C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-10-2015; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult; Affect; Arousal; Choice Behavior; Exercise; Humans; Internal-External Control; Male; Motivation; Motor ability; Physical Exertion; Resistance Training; Sports training; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0031-5125; 1558-688X
• DOI: 10.2466/29.PMS.121c17x3

This study was an evaluation of the effects of self-selected intensity and three prescribed intensities of strength exercises on affective responses. 16 healthy active male participants (M age = 25.1 yr., SD = 5.5; M height = 168.0 cm, SD = 31.8; M weight = 84.4 kg, SD = 8.6) were randomly assigned to a control condition without exercise (Control); three prescribed exercise intensities at 40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), 60% 1RM, and 80% 1RM; and one self-selected intensity (Self-selected). Affective response was assessed by the Feeling Scale and the Felt Arousal Scale. All prescribed intensities showed increased activation and only the session at 80% 1RM showed reduction valence compared to the Control condition. Thus, the affective response to strength training does not seem to be influenced by exercise intensity.