Are we having fun yet? Testing the effects of imagery use on the affective and enjoyment responses to acute moderate exercise

Objectives: The present study investigated whether using imagery during acute moderate exercise evokes more positive affective and enjoyment responses than exercising without an assigned strategy. Design: Laboratory experiment. Methods: Participants (N = 88, mean age = 19.81 years) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 conditions (enjoyment imagery, energy imagery, technique imagery, or exercise alone). Affect was measured before, during, and after 20 min of moderate intensity (50% of Heart Rate Reserve) cycle ergometry. A single-item measure of enjoyment was developed for use during exercise. Results: Enjoyment and energy imagery brought about significant increases in valence from pre- to postexercise, and significantly higher valence during exercise than exercise alone. All 3 imagery groups reported significant increases in revitalization from pre- to postexercise, and higher enjoyment during exercise than exercise controls. Conclusions: The findings indicate that imagery use may enhance affective and enjoyment responses to exercise. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.