Modification of Perceived Enjoyment, Exertion and Performance Among Novice and Experienced Exercisers

Regular exercise has been found to be efficacious in the prevention of a variety of diseases, and in maintenance of physical health. Nonetheless, a large number of individuals do not engage in regular exercise. As a result, improving exercise behavior within the population was included as one of the priorities of the U.S. Public Health Service's Healthy People 2000 studies. Among recent strategies employed for such modification have been applications of external stimuli, such as music, used to moderate perceptions of fatigue and exertion, and to improve perceptions of enjoyment. The present study engaged regular exercisers (n = 15) and non-exercisers (n = 15) in a 30-minure sub-maximal cycling task during which they were exposed to three distinct music conditions; preferred music, non-preferred music and neutral music. Although no significant differences in heart rate or pedaling rate were detected among music conditions, significant affective and perceptual benefits in the form of increased vigor, enjoyment and perceived exertion ratings were found to be associated with the preferred music condition. Two reasons underlying selection of preferred music style were found; potential performance benefits and potential enjoyment benefits. Regular exercisers most frequently indicated reasons associated with performance benefits, while non-exercisers most frequently determined preference based on potential enjoyment.