Does Self-Efficacy Influence Leg Muscle Pain During Cycling Exercise?

This experiment examined the effect of a manipulation of self-efficacy beliefs on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate-intensity cycling exercise among women. Low to moderately active college-age women (n = 28) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions that were designed to either increase or decrease efficacy beliefs for engaging in moderate intensity physical activity. Efficacy was manipulated based on bogus feedback after a maximal incremental exercise test. Within 2-3 days after the efficacy manipulation, participants completed 30 min of cycling on an ergometer at 60% peak oxygen consumption. Perceptions of leg muscle pain, as well as work rate and oxygen consumption, were recorded during exercise. There was an initial relationship between baseline self-efficacy and pain ratings during a maximal incremental exercise test. Although the provision of bogus feedback was effective for manipulating self-efficacy, there was no differential effect on leg muscle pain intensity ratings during the 30 min bout of moderate-intensity cycling. The results imply that our manipulation of self-efficacy for prolonged exercise does not influence leg muscle pain during moderate-intensity exercise among low to moderately active young females.PerspectiveWe examined the influence of self-efficacy on muscle pain during exercise. Although we did not identify a significant influence of efficacy on pain, our research highlights novel research directions. Future research could potentially help identify self-efficacy as a means of decreasing pain during exercise and ultimately enhancing physical activity participation.