High intensity interval training and enjoyment

Abstract

An increasing amount of attention is being given to enjoyment as a predictor of exercise adherence. Purpose: To investigate enjoyment levels during high intensity interval training. Methods: Sedentary college-aged students (n=55) participated in an eight week training intervention. The Exercise Feeling Inventory (EFI) and Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES) were administered one day per week. Results: The EFI ANOVA indicated no statistical significance for both the revitalization and positive engagement subscales. Tranquility subscale scores were significantly higher for week five (-.183 mean) and week six (.109 mean). Physical exhaustion subscale scores were significantly higher in the Tabata group (2.211 mean). The EES ANOVA indicated pre-enjoyment scores were significantly lower for weeks four (3.228 mean) through eight (3.006 mean). The during-training enjoyment scores were significantly lower in the Tabata group (2.544 mean) and for weeks seven (2.793 mean) and eight (2.627 mean). The post-training enjoyment scores were significantly lower in the Tabata group (2.991mean) and for weeks seven (3.104 mean) and eight (3.073 mean). Conclusion: The present study revealed that subjects randomly assigned to the Tabata training group yielded statistically higher EFI physical exhaustion subscale scores and statistically lower EES during and post-training enjoyment scores, consequent to an eight week training intervention.