DEP. OF EXERCISE > Research > Ongoing research > Body Learning Identity > RS Exercise
Exercise adherence and drop out - the effect of motivational and physiological elements through intensified training
The development within prevention and promotion of public health in Denmark is showing an undesirable tendency in which a majority in the population is not engaged in the amount of exercise recommended by authorities in the field. Another important factor is the fact that a great part of those engaged in exercise are struggling to do it on a regular basis or are finding it difficult to keep the commitment (Larsen, 2003).
The upcoming study intends to explore the motivational and psychological aspects which are regarded as playing a role in either strengthening or weakening the engagement and involvement in exercise. The efforts to connect the psychological and physiological perspectives are of special importance to this study.
The main questions of the study are:
-
What significance do motivational and volitional aspects have in relation to adherence or drop-out of physical training and exercise?
-
Which elements are impairing on the participation in intensive physical exercise?
The empirical part of the study involves 75 untrained and moderately trained women between 30 and 45 years of age that, divided into three training groups, all will perform intensive physical exercise. The exercise consists of pole walk in hilly terrain, running at a continues pace and interval running.
The interplay between shortness of breath and muscular pain during exercise, soreness after exercise, and the volitional and motivational strength of the individual are studied. We will furthermore examine whether the organisation of the exercise has an effect on the drop-out rate. Among other things we will test the hypothesis that endurance exercise organized as interval training takes less psychological effort while being physiological just as effective.
The physiological effects of the three forms of intensive exercise are examined and compared in terms of endurance capacity, fitness rating, body fat percentage, muscular mass, blood pressure and bone mineralization.
The project has received funds from the Ministry of Culture and is carried out in collaboration between AHS and AHF as part of a project in the research group Integrated Physiology - Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Ion Transport under the direction of Professor Jens Bangsbo.
The project will be running from 2007 until 2009.
Head of project: Reinhard Stelter
In collaboration with: Peter Krustrup and Anne-Marie Elbe
Other ongoing research
