Do Preference and Tolerance for Exercise Intensity Moderate the Effect of Intensity Suggestions on Minutes of Weekly Exercise?

Brickley, Michael Brian

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Overview

Year:: 2018
Contributor:: Brickley, Michael Brian (creator); Williams, David (Advisor); Operario, Don (Reader); Brown University. School of Public Health (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Exercise
Extent:: II, 20 p.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26300/xmx4-pb43

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Abstract:: Abstract: Background: CDC recommendations for exercise intensity may be too strenuous, especially for obese or overweight adults. This is partially explained by a negative hedonic response many people have to physically intense exercise. People exercising at their chosen intensity, however, often have a more enjoyable and successful experience, increasing probability that their behavior will endure. Two dispositional traits, preference and tolerance levels for exercise intensity, are positively associated with affect during exercise and minutes of exercise. This suggests that high levels of these traits may prove to buffer the negative emotions accompanying intensity, allowing one to continue exercising. Low tolerance/preference individuals who are more susceptible to negative emotions, however, may need an alternative or flexible form of intensity instruction to suffice exercise requirements. Purpose: Tolerance and preference related to exercise will be assessed to determine whether they moderate the effect of exercising at a self-selected pace vs. imposed moderate intensity (mirroring CDC recommendations) on weekly minutes of exercise. It is hypothesized that people exhibiting high levels of these independent variables will not be influenced by different guidelines and should exhibit similar behavior across intensities. Conversely, those characterized as being low will demonstrate divergent behavior between intensity type. Specifically, we believe low tolerance individuals will engage in more weekly minute of exercise when the intensity is self-selected than at moderate intensity. Methods: This paper uses data from Brown University researcher David Williams (Williams et al., 2014) in which 59 overweight or obese participants from the Providence, RI area were enrolled into a between subjects, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized and instructed to exercise either at moderate intensity or at a self-selected pace. Data was collected over a 6 month period during which preference and tolerance were measured using a validated scale called the PRETIE-Q. PRETIE-Q data and randomization group were used as the IV in the moderation analysis, with weekly minutes of exercise employed as the DV. Results: Tolerance and preference failed to show a main effect on minutes of exercise and did not moderate the effect of randomization condition on minutes of exercise. Conclusions: The present study failed to demonstrate significant results to support hypotheses. There are several explanations for the findings: 1.) that preference and tolerance in reality do not serve to moderate the effect of condition on exercise, or 2.) some study level phenomenon obscured the effect. Further research with higher statistical power and different dependent variables to assess exercise behavior (calories burned, program adherence, etc.) are encouraged.
Notes:: Thesis (Sc. M.)--Brown University, 2018

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Rights: In Copyright
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Citation

Brickley, Michael Brian, "Do Preference and Tolerance for Exercise Intensity Moderate the Effect of Intensity Suggestions on Minutes of Weekly Exercise?" (2018). Public Health Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/xmx4-pb43

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Public Health Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Public Health department.
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