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EFFECTS OF EXTERNAL STIMULI ON EXERCISE ENJOYMENT IN COLLEGE FEMALES

Abstract

Samantha L. Schroeder, Adam F. Lomenick, Brenna K. Herdman, Brittany K. Tompkins, Emily C. Sutherland Baker University, Baldwin City, KS

Important to the promotion of physical activity is the assessment of the psychological effects that occur when trying to adhere to exercise regiments. By measuring the effects of exercise on mood, enjoyment, and exertion it allows for the ability to evaluate engagement in one’s program and provides a means to measure and potentially predict their continuance in the exercise. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of external stimuli on exercise enjoyment in college females. METHODS: 18 college female subjects (age: 19 ±1 years) completed 4 separate trials of treadmill walking with a different intervention for each trial. The conditions being tested: no external stimuli (NES), self-selected music (MU), self-selected video with sound (VS), and self-selected video without sound but with captions (VC). Every 3 minutes throughout the 30-minute session, the subjects rated perceived exertion and mood with the Borg rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale and the Fast Assessment of Children’s Emotion scale (ES). At the end of each session, the participants evaluated their enjoyment of the exercise using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Statistical comparisons on each condition were determined as well as any correlations between having a stimuli (MU, VS, and VC) vs no stimuli using ANOVA, contrast, and Bon Ferri statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found when comparing no stimuli to all external stimuli collectively, PACES (p < 0.05) and ES ratings (p < 0.05) were significantly different. Specific to the PACES scale, we found significance when comparing NES to MU (p < 0.05), NES to VC (p < 0.05), and NES to VS (p < 0.05). RPE was not statistically significant in any condition (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater levels of overall enjoyment and increased mood were seen when an external stimuli was used as compared to exercising with no stimuli. No changes in rate of perceived exertion were seen whether a stimulus was used or not. For best adherence to an exercise program use of external stimuli is recommended.

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