Cognitive Reappraisal Improves Performance And Mood In Eight Minute Functional Threshold Power Test

Cognitive reappraisal (CR) is a form of emotion regulation that is used to shift the emotional response from negative affect into a positive one by providing a reframing of the stimulus driving the emotional response. These shifts can improve the emotional response to exercise and potentially one’s ability to perform. PURPOSE: To determine the impact of CR to improve performance on an eight-minute functional threshold performance test (8-FTP). METHODS: 17 participants (22 ± 5 yrs) performed an 8-FTP on visits 1 and 7. Visits 2-6 participants performed time to exhaustion trials at 90-100% of their average power output (POAVG) in watts (W) derived from the 8-FTP. The control (CON) group received motivation throughout each exercise bout, while the intervention group was taught CR on visit 1 and received continuous reinforcement throughout the study along with motivation. The profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire was filled out on visit 1 and 6-week post intervention to assess affective mood states throughout the study. Independent samples t-test was used to determine the POAVG completed between CR and CON. ANOVAs (time [pre, post] × condition [CR, CON]) were used to determine differences in the 8-FTP and POMS. RESULTS: Participants increased POAVG during CR (25.9 ± 13.2 W) compared to CON (9.1 ± 12.6 W; p = 0.04). There was a significant time x condition interaction (F(1,15) = 8.245, p = 0.012, =0.355) indicating that CR improved the participants ability to produce more power during the 8-FTP. There was a main effect of time (p = <0.001; = 0.676) on POAVG indicating that both groups improved from the pre- (203.6 ± 8.7 W) to post-intervention (220.7 ± 9.5 W). There was a significant time x condition interaction (F(1,15) = 5.884, p = 0.028, =0.282) indicating that CR improved the participants POMS compared to the CON from visit 1 to the 6-week follow-up. There was a main effect of time (p = <0.021; = 0.513) on POMS indicating that both groups improved from the visit 1 (83 ± 3) to the 6-week follow-up (77 ± 2). CONCLUSIONS: Both groups saw improvements in POAVG and POMS from the first visit to the last. The CR resulted in an improvement in both POAVG and POMS compared to the control group. Thus, CR implemented during aerobic exercise can potentially improve one’s ability to perform better and create a more positive affect towards exercise.