Physical Activity Motives and Physiological Variables as Predictors of Exercise Intentions Following Interval Training

Document Type

Conference Abstract

Publication Date

5-2014

Publication Title

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0000494871.65445.67

ISSN

1530-0315

Abstract

Recent data collected on college-aged women indicated that women have little time for physical activity (PA). High intensity interval training (short intervals above 85% maximum heart rate alternated with passive recovery periods; HIIT) is a popular alternative to more traditional continuous training due to its time efficiency. HIIT induces similar physiological changes to moderate intensity training with less training time. Women may be able to increase PA participation because of HIIT’s time-saving qualities. According to Self-Determination theory, those who are intrinsically motivated (i.e, enjoyment) for HIIT participation will have higher intentions to engage in HIIT in the future.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine motives for HIIT as well as to determine if these motives, along with physiological measures, predicted exercise intentions.

METHODS: Participants included sixty-five women (19.98 ± 1.38) who enrolled in a PA class that engaged in body weight HIIT. Their workout was not classified as “high intensity” unless their heart rate was at least 85% of their maximum heart rate. Blood pressure, BMI, and motives for HIIT were measured prior to and after the nine week HIIT protocol. The Motives for Physical Activity Measure Revised questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = enjoyment = .93 competence = .93, social = .84, fitness =.74, appearance =.74) as well as the physical measures were correlated with scores on the Exercise Intentions questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = .83) that were collected after the cessation of the HIIT protocol.

RESULTS: No changes in BMI, or motives for HIIT over the course of the study were found. Blood pressure was significantly reduced from week 1 to week 9 (p < .001). Fitness was the only variable that significantly predicted intentions for exercise and thus future exercise behaviors (b = .570, t (47) = 4.70, p < .001).

CONCLUSION: These results show promise for HIIT in this young population because those scoring higher on fitness motives were more likely to score high on intentions and potentially engage in HIIT in the future. Still, the nature of the relationship between motives and intentions calls for future research to determine why intrinsic motives, including competence, were not related to intentions for HIIT in order to promote long term adherence to exercise programs.

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Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Sports Medicine

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