Affective responses to exercise bouts of varying intensities

This study examined the effect of varying intensities of exercise sessions on feeling states in sedentary adult females (N = 42, M age = 20 years). Participants completed two twenty-minute exercise sessions on separate occasions, one at 60% of maximal intensity (moderate) and one at 80% of maximal intensity (vigorous). Prior to, during, immediately post, and 20 minutes following each activity session, affective responses were assessed via the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) and the Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory (EFI). Results indicated that a single exercise bout increased positive and decreased negative feeling states over the time course of activity. Overall, these responses did not differ as a function of exercise intensity. Findings are discussed relative to the potential influence of exercise induced affect on subsequent exercise participation.