Inter-individual variability of acute affective responses in the course of leisure time and health-oriented exercise programs

Meta-analyses document acute positive effects of exercise on affective wellbeing. But, the generalization of these effects is limited due to the increasingly observed high inter-individual variability as well as the lack of consideration for processes during exercise activities. This article focuses on the extent of inter-individual variability of affective responses in the course of group-based leisure time and health-oriented exercise programs. Moreover, it addresses the impact that personal preconditions (fitness level, affective wellbeing) and subjective experiences of exercise (perceived exertion, perceived competence, and positive group experiences) have. It is of special interest to what extent affective responses are influenced by varying factors depending on the time within the progress of an exercise session as well as the exercise intensity. Therefore 110 university staff members (M = 49.5 years) were repeatedly questioned in the context of different exercise programs. At a total of six timepoints, handheld PC surveys were conducted before, twice during, and after the session to gather changes in affect and possible influencing factors. The results show that the variability of affective responses is greatest during the first part of a single exercise session, whereas the responses are generally more positive and uniform at the end. Personal preconditions are important influencing factors during the first part of an exercise session. In contrast, the perceived competence and positive group experiences gain in importance over the course of an exercise session. In accordance with the dual mode theory the perceived competence has a greater influence on affect in the high intensity exercise compared to the moderate intensity exercise.