RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTIVATIONAL STATES, BOREDOM, ENERGY, AND FATIGUE DURING AEROBIC EXERCISE

Motivation driven by hedonics and reflection are both critical components of the exercise experience. Likewise, boredom, energy and fatigue are also highly relevant considerations impacting behavior. The role of self-control is believed to be a critical factor in exercise-related performance and decision making. This study highlights boredom, energy, and fatigue as part of the multifaceted experience of exercise that relates in important ways to motivation and decisions to persist in movement or seek rest. Exploration of these factors within the context of exercise represents a needed area of study. PURPOSE: Investigate the interplay of motivation state against boredom, energy, and fatigue during aerobic activity. METHODS: 11 participants (8 female; age = 25 ± 10 years; BMI = 24 ± 1; VO2max = 33 ± 9 ml/kg/min) completed exercise testing followed by 3 experimental trials: 20 vigorous mins (Vig), 30 moderate minutes (Mod), and 40 easy mins (Easy). All trials were matched for total work. Motivation to move and rest were assessed as hedonic and reflective considerations alongside perceptions of boredom, energy, and fatigue by way of correlational analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed at each timepoint and within each condition (p < 0.05). Strong correlation coefficients (r = +/- 0.50) were required for statistical significance given the incomplete nature of the sample. Hedonic measures of motivation were an order of magnitude more likely to be significantly correlated with boredom, energy, and fatigue than reflective measures of motivation, with most of these correlations exceeding r = 0.75. Significant correlations were common across all exercise conditions but were more prevalent during easy exercise. While correlations between fatigue and energy were strong and negative (r > -0.60), correlations of fatigue to motivation and boredom were less likely to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present results provide preliminary justification for further study of the interplay of motivation, boredom, energy, and fatigue responses during exercise. Presence of fewer significant relationship when motivation is considered reflectively are particularly interesting and provides a foundation for research designs that can more fully consider these factors.