Why do they do it? Differences in high-intensity exercise-affect between those with higher and lower intensity preference and tolerance

Did You Enjoy It? The Role of Intensity-Trait Preference/Tolerance in Basic Psychological Needs and Exercise Enjoyment

“…Previous studies have suggested that a hedonic approach to exercise may be a promoter of enjoyment ( Ekkekakis and Zenko, 2016 ; Murphy and Eaves, 2016 ; Calder et al, 2020 ), and that the preference/tolerance intensity-traits may be related to this state ( Ekkekakis et al, 2008 ; Box and Petruzzello, 2020 ). The present results seem to support the concept that intensity-traits are to some extent associated with enjoyment (small-to-moderate effect).…”

“…This may suggest that this sample of exercisers, on average, does not have the same affective valence “flexibility” toward high-intensity ranges than a sample presenting higher preference/tolerance scores. This approach has been previously theorized (e.g., Raedeke, 2007 ) and has recently received some focus in a sample of 245 regular exercisers exposed to high-intensity body weight circuit ( Box and Petruzzello, 2020 ). In this study, those with high intensity preference and tolerance traits reported exercise to be more pleasant and enjoyable than the lower-intensity preference counterparts during and after the high-intensity circuit.…”

Network Analysis of the Social Environment Relative to Preference for and Tolerance of Exercise Intensity in CrossFit Gyms

“…According to previous research, a key factor related to someone’s affinity for, and ultimately enjoyment of, HIFT is a preference for and tolerance of high-intensity exercise [ 22 , 23 ]. According to Ekkekakis and Petruzzello [ 24 ], preference for exercise intensity is defined as a “predisposition to select a particular level of exercise intensity when given the opportunity (e.g., when engaging in self-selected or unsupervised exercise),” while tolerance of exercise intensity is defined as “a trait that influences one’s ability to continue exercising at an imposed level of intensity beyond the point at which the activity becomes uncomfortable or unpleasant” (p. 354).…”

“…Most research concerning the preference for and tolerance of high-intensity exercise has been conducted on independent exercisers [ 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 ]. In these studies, preference and tolerance are described as dispositions that go unchanged despite someone engaging in more exercise or experiencing fitness improvements.…”

High-Intensity Interval Exercise: Methodological Considerations for Behavior Promotion From an Affective Perspective

“…More fascinating is the effect of exercise intensity at, or proximal to, the VT. It is within this intensity range where heterogeneity of affective responses exists, with such heterogeneity being attributed to fitness, personality, and other individual differences (Acevedo et al, 2003 ; Ekkekakis et al, 2005 ; Box and Petruzzello, 2020 ).…”