The search for variables involved in the regulation and termination of exercise performance has led to integrative models that attribute a central role to the brain and utilize an array of psychological terms (e.g., sensation, perception, discomfort, tolerance). We propose that theorizing about exercise regulation would benefit by establishing crossdisciplinary bridges to research fields, such as affective psychology and neuroscience, in which changes along the dimension of pleasure-displeasure are considered the main channel via which homeostatic perturbations enter consciousness and dictate corrective action (slowing down or stopping). We hypothesized that ratings of pleasure-displeasure would respond to the severity of homeostatic perturbation and would be related to time-to-exhaustion during exercise performed at an unsustainable intensity. In a within-subjects experiment (N=15, 13 men and 2 women, age 23.4±2.2 y; peak oxygen uptake 46.0±8.0 ml·kg−1·min−1), we compared the slope of ratings of pleasure-displeasure (acquired every one min) during cycling exercise at a power output 10% above critical power until volitional termination under glycogen-loaded and glycogen-depleted conditions. As hypothesized, ratings of pleasure-displeasure declined more steeply under glycogen depletion (p=0.009, d=0.70) and correlated closely with time-to-exhaustion under both glycogen-loaded (r=0.85; p<.001) and glycogen-depleted conditions (r=0.83; p<.001). We conclude that in exercise, as in other domains, changes in pleasure-displeasure may be the main channel via which homeostatic perturbations enter consciousness. This proposal may have important implications for conceptualizing and identifying the neurobiological mechanisms of the sense of exertional physical fatigue.

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The promotion of physical activity and exercise has been a persistently challenging problem for industrialized societies. Traditionally, these behaviors have been conceptualized as resulting from the rational processing of information (e.g., regarding anticipated benefits, personal capabilities, sources of support). Therefore, attempts to change these behaviors have relied on the provision of information. The persistent failure to account for substantial portions of behavioral variance or raise physical activity and exercise behavior in a sustainable manner is forcing researchers to expand their theoretical perspective. Thus, emerging dual-process conceptualizations postulate that, besides an information-based pathway, physical activity and exercise may be influenced by affect, such as the energy and tiredness felt in daily life, or the pleasure and displeasure responses to past exercise. This chapter highlights potential conceptual and methodological pitfalls in this emerging line of research and summarizes the promising results of early correlational and experimental studies.

We conducted empirical analyses of training at 3 large regional police academies in the United States. We objectively examined the performance and learning of 3 classes, a total of 115 cadets, across 3 representative training approaches to defensive and control tactics. Experiment 1 examined the content and effects of single-session or block training across 8 weeks during the academy. Experiment 2 examined the content and effects of spaced sessions with small-group practice and scenario-based feedback across 8 weeks during the academy. Experiment 3 examined the content and effect of block training with scenariobased feedback across 15 weeks during the academy. Experiment 3 also demonstrated the impact of performance feedback on instructor behavior and cadet performance during the academy and 16 weeks after graduation. We provide recommendations and a call for research based on the performance and learning literature, grounded in behavioral science.

A 3-min all-out exercise test (3MT) for running has been developed to determine critical speed (CS) and finite capacity for running speeds >CS (D') which allow for the prediction of time limits (TLIMs) associated with running different distances. Most team sports require shuttle running; however, the 3MT was validated for uninterrupted, track running and not shuttle running. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of shuttle running 3MT to determine critical speed (CS) and D'. A total of 12 subjects were tested using a baseline 3MT along with three separate distance time-trials of all-out shuttle running to determine true CS and D'. The 3MT (2.94 ± 0.39 m·s) and the true CS (3.00 ± 0.36 m·s) for shuttle running did not differ (p = 0.71) and had a coefficient of variation (CV) of 7.7%. Conversely, D' from the 3MT exceeded true D' by 42 m (p = 0.04, CV = 36%). The TLIMs estimated for the 3 different distances were within ∼2 to 6% (p = 0.60). Based on these outcomes, the shuttle run 3MT may offer a suitable method for prescribing shuttle running interval training.

Textbooks of exercise psychology describe the relation between exercise and affect with the statement that “exercise makes people feel better.” However, this seems at odds with evidence that most people are not physically active. Reinvestigating this relation with an updated methodology, researchers have found that the “feel better” effect of exercise is present but conditional and that affective responses can predict subsequent physical activity. The following five questions are expected to inspire research in the coming years. First, what are the mechanisms of the “feel better” and “feel worse” responses? Second, how can we improve the affective experience of exercise? Third, how do affective experiences shape memories of exercise? Fourth, can affect-related messages replace traditional exercise promotion campaigns focusing on health benefits? Fifth, how do affective and reflective processes interact in determining exercise behavior?