Advanced Seminar in Athletic Development Discussion

Summary

The extended (SIT 1) and short (SIT 2) Sprint Interval Training (SIT) sessions had similar Total Mood Disturbance (TMD), average displeasure-pleasure score, average heart rate (HR), and enjoyment scores. The short session was considered less taxing, with a substantial difference in average RPE. The effect sizes for TMD, displeasure-pleasure score, HR, and enjoyment were insignificant, while RPE was substantial. Both sessions had negative relationships between TMD and enjoyment. Note that all correlations in SIT 2 were big and significant, demonstrating a strong link between affective reactions and satisfaction. These data indicate that SIT session time may not significantly affect mood disturbance and enjoyment, while shorter sessions may exert participants and affect their preferences.

Enjoyment + Feeling Scale (displeasure-pleasure) + RPE + HR Results

The assessment of enjoyment in Sprint Interval Training (SIT) is vital for evaluating participants’ subjective experiences and adherence to exercise programs (Kong et al., 2021). Interestingly, the study found no significant changes in enjoyment scores between long and short SIT sessions. This implies that changing the training session length may not affect participants’ enjoyment. However, the substantial positive association between the average displeasure-pleasure score and enjoyment in both sessions suggests that those who love training report more enjoyment (Hu et al., 2022). This emphasizes the relevance of emotional responses in SIT enjoyment and suggests that interventions that promote good affective experiences during exercise may improve satisfaction and adherence.

The Feeling Scale (Displeasure-Pleasure) offers insights into the emotive dimension of SIT by measuring the range from displeasure to pleasure (Fonseca et al., 2016). While the average displeasure-pleasure scores were not significantly different between the long and short sessions, the correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between them and enjoyment. This suggests that people with a better displeasure-pleasure score during SIT enjoyed the exercise more (Andreato et al., 2016). These findings show that affective reactions and enjoyment are linked, highlighting the importance of happy sensations in exercising.

The RPE and HR measures provide crucial insights into SIT’s physiological and perceptual elements. Long and short sessions had significantly different RPEs, with the brief session deemed less taxing. Shorter sessions may be subjectively less demanding, affecting participant preferences and adherence (Andreato et al., 2013). The correlation study also showed moderate positive relationships between RPE and enjoyment in both sessions, demonstrating that the relationship between perceived effort and enjoyment is complex despite the short session’s lower felt exertion. Exploring the complex relationship between physiological responses, perceived exertion, and enjoyment in SIT helps tailor exercise interventions to improve participant experiences and compliance.

Limitations and Strengths 

This study offers significant information but has limitations. The modest sample size (n = 8) may restrict generalizability. A small sample size may induce biases and reduce statistical power. The study’s concentration on Sprint Interval Training (SIT) may limit its applicability to other exercises. Self-reported measures like the Profile of Mood State questionnaire and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale may induce response bias. On the positive side, the study’s detailed assessment of emotive responses, subjective effort, and physiological markers provide a complex insight into participants’ SIT experiences (Leal-Junior et al., 2015). Well-established scales and statistical analyses improve reliability and validity, adding to exercise psychology and training modalities research.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This study comparing two Sprint Interval Training (SIT) sessions offers insights into participants’ physiological and emotional responses. Total Mood Disturbance, enjoyment, and heart rate were similar between the long and short sessions, while perceived exertion was lower in the short session. The favourable link between displeasure-pleasure scores and enjoyment emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences in exercise programs. Due to its limited sample size and self-reported metrics, the study had limitations. Larger sample sizes, diversified participant demographics, and objective physiological metrics should improve future trials in this area. Researching the effects of different SIT session durations on long-term adherence and health outcomes would enhance the overall comprehension of these findings’ practical implications.

References

Andreato, L. V., Follmer, B., Celidonio, C. L., & da Silva Honorato, A. (2016). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu combat among different categories: time-motion and physiology. A systematic review. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 38(6), 44-54.

Andreato, L. V., Franchini, E., De Moraes, S. M., Pastório, J. J., Da Silva, D. F., Esteves, J. V., … & Machado, F. A. (2013). Physiological and technical-tactical analysis in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition. Asian journal of sports medicine, 4(2), 137.

Fonseca, L. B., Brito, C. J., Silva, R. J. S., Silva-Grigoletto, M. E., da Silva, W. M., & Franchini, E. (2016). Cold-water immersion reduces muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness and preserves muscle power in jiu-jitsu athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 51(7), 540-549.

Hu, M., Jung, M. E., Nie, J., & Kong, Z. (2022). Affective and enjoyment responses to sprint interval training in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 820228.

Kong, Z., Hu, M., Sun, S., Zou, L., Shi, Q., Jiao, Y., & Nie, J. (2021). Affective and enjoyment responses to sprint interval exercise at different hypoxia levels. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 8171.

Leal-Junior, E. C. P., Vanin, A. A., Miranda, E. F., de Carvalho, P. D. T. C., Dal Corso, S., & Bjordal, J. M. (2015). Effect of phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) on exercise performance and markers of exercise recovery: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Lasers in medical science, 30, 925-939.