Poorer positive affect in response to self-paced exercise among the obese

Hassan M Elsangedy; Paulo H D Nascimento; Daniel G S Machado; Kleverton Krinski; Sarah J Hardcastle; Sérgio G DaSilva

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.031

Poorer positive affect in response to self-paced exercise among the obese

Physiol Behav. 2018 May 15:189:32-39. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.031. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Authors

Hassan M Elsangedy¹, Paulo H D Nascimento², Daniel G S Machado³, Kleverton Krinski⁴, Sarah J Hardcastle⁵, Sérgio G DaSilva⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil. Electronic address: hassan.elsangedy@gmail.com.
² Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
³ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; Center of Physical Education and Sport, Londrina State University, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brazil; Center for Health Sciences, Northern Paraná State University, Alameda Padre Magno, 841, Jacarezinho, Paraná 86.400-000, Brazil.
⁵ Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁶ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

PMID: 29458113
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.02.031

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and affective response, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and physiological responses during self-paced exercise. Sixty-six women were divided into three groups accordingly with the BMI: obese (n = 22: 33.5 ± 8.5 yr; 34.9 ± 4.1 kg∙m^-2), overweight (n = 22: 34.8 ± 8.6 yr; 26.4 ± 1.3 kg∙m^-2), and normal-weight (n = 22: 30.8 ± 9.3 yr; 22.0 ± 1.6 kg∙m^-2). They underwent a graded exercise test and a 20-min self-paced walking session on a treadmill. Affective responses, RPE, heart rate (HR), and oxygen uptake (VO₂) were recorded every 5 min. The women with obesity experienced the lowest affective rates (p < .001), despite similar RPE, HR, and VO₂ to the other normal weight and overweight groups. In addition, a multiple regression model indicated that BMI was a significant predictor of affective responses (p < .001). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that obesity is associated with poorer affective responses to exercise even at self-paced intensity, with the same physiological responses and perceived exertion. Therefore, techniques that aim directly to increase pleasure and/or reduce attentional focus and perception of effort in this population are required, such as affect-regulated prescription, shorter bouts of self-paced exercise throughout the day, distraction away from internal cues (e.g. music, group exercise), etc.

Keywords: BMI; Pleasure; RPE; Self-selected walking.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Affect / physiology*
Body Mass Index
Case-Control Studies
Exercise / physiology
Exercise / psychology*
Exercise Test
Female
Heart Rate / physiology
Humans
Obesity / physiopathology
Obesity / psychology*
Overweight / physiopathology
Overweight / psychology*
Oxygen Consumption / physiology
Physical Exertion / physiology
Walking