Women’s Affective Responses, State Anxiety, And Perceived Exertion During Exergaming Versus Treadmill Walking

PURPOSE: Positive affective responses to physical activity (PA) have been associated with PA adoption and maintenance. One cognitive strategy thought to increase positive affective responses to PA is the use of distraction during PA. This could be particularly salient for inactive individuals who may struggle to maintain regular PA. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to compare affective responses to treadmill walking vs. a virtual-reality (VR) exergaming bout in physically inactive women. METHODS: Healthy, sedentary, and lightly physically active women (n = 10; mean age 33.1 +/- 12.3 y) were recruited via an online survey. Participants completed a VR exergaming session and a treadmill exercise session on separate days. Each exercise bout lasted 13 min., which included a 3-min warm up and a 10-min conditioning phase designed to elicit a moderate to vigorous exercise intensity. Heart rate was recorded every two minutes for each exercise, along with maximum rate of perceived exertion (RPE), using the Borgh-20 scale. Affect during the exercise bouts were assessed using visual analog scales (VAS). Change in state anxiety following each exercise bout, was assessed using a pre-post Spielberger state anxiety inventory (STAI, Y1). RESULTS: There was a significantly greater decrease in STAI scores after the exergaming vs. the treadmill bout (t = 3.2, p = 0.01), and although both peak and average HR during the exergaming bout were higher than the treadmill exercise (t = 1.89, p = 0.10, trend; t = 1.59, p = 0.10, trend, respectively), max RPE was significantly lower for the exergaming bout (t = -3.21, p = 0.01). Participants also reported significantly higher levels of concentration and effort during the exergaming vs. the treadmill bout (t = -2.09, p = 0.07, trend; t = -2.86, p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported lower levels of perceived exertion, and a greater decrease in state anxiety during the exergaming bout, even though their physiological responses indicated a higher workload. Considering that participants also reported higher levels of effort and concentration during exergaming, it is possible that the positive affective responses to exergaming may be, in part, explained by higher cognitive engagement during the session which allowed for distraction from the physical challenge of exercise. Supported by: Leslie H. and Evelyn G. Garner Faculty Leadership Award