Exercise Enjoyment and Psychological Response to Acute Exercise: The Role of Personality and Goal Cognitions

Author(s): Marc R. Lochbaum, Rafer Lutz

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65030/idr.03013

Abstract: Participants were asked to complete the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Checklist (AD ACL) prior to, immediately after, and 20 minutes after an acute bout of aerobic exercise, in addition to rating their exercise enjoyment. Separate from the exercise session, participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Goal Assessment Battery (GSAB). Results revealed that participants who enjoyed the exercise session displayed less neuroticism and greater conscientiousness, and were higher in the self- regulatory, direction, and control functions of the GSAB in comparison to those who reported less enjoyment. Also, greater energy and less tension were associated with exercise enjoyment. These results suggest that interventions designed to foster greater exercise enjoyment should be individually tailored based on personality and goal-related cognitions.

Keywords: Exercise enjoyment; Personality traits; Neuroticism; Conscientiousness; Goal-directed behavior; Affect regulation; Individual differences

Pages: 153-161

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