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

ObjectivesThe present study investigated whether using imagery during acute moderate exercise evokes more positive affective and enjoyment responses than exercising without an assigned strategy.DesignLaboratory experiment.MethodsParticipants (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.ResultsEnjoyment 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.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that imagery use may enhance affective and enjoyment responses to exercise.