Objective: The lower rates of adherence to physical activity commonly found among overweight adults compared to their normal-weight counterparts might be due to the activity being experienced as more laborious and less pleasant, particularly when its intensity is prescribed (or imposed) rather than self-selected. Design: Within-subject design, with two 20-min sessions of treadmill exercise, one at self-selected speed and one at imposed speed, 10% higher than the self-selected. Subjects: A total of 16 overweight (BMI: 31 kg/m 2 ) and 9 normal-weight (BMI: 22 kg/m 2 ) previously sedentary but healthy women (age: 43 years). Measurements: Heart rate, oxygen uptake relative to body weight, and ratings of perceived exertion and pleasure-displeasure were assessed every 5 min. Results: The overweight women showed higher oxygen uptake and perceived exertion than the normal-weight women during both sessions. Although the two groups did not differ in ratings of pleasure-displeasure during the session at self-selected speed, only the overweight women showed a significant decline when the speed was imposed. Conclusions: Imposing a speed that is just 10% higher than what overweight women would have self-selected led to a significant decline in reported pleasure. Over time, this could diminish the enjoyment of and intrinsic motivation for physical activity, reducing adherence.

The aim of the present study was to translate and adapt the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire to Portuguese (PRETIE-Q-PT), and to analyze its psychometric properties (factorial validity with gender invariance analyses, reliability, temporal stability, and construct validity). The sample was composed of 445 Portuguese participants (55.9% women), with a mean age of 29.6 years (SD = 8.2). To verify the psychometric properties of the scale, structural equation modeling procedures were used. Results showed that an abbreviated 10-item scale presented good fit, reliability, and convergent validity. Latent mean analysis between samples, sex, and time points showed no differences. Construct validity tested with self-reported exercise frequency, vitality, well-being, and habit supported the use of the PRETIE-Q-PT in exercise settings, highlighting the need for exercise professionals to consider these intensity-related trait variables in the promotion of a pleasant exercise experience. As a general conclusion, the PRETIE-Q-PT seems to be a valid scale that can be used to assess intensity-trait characteristics in health club exercisers, and may allow professionals to better adjust exercise prescription to subjective needs aiming to achieve theoretically suggested promotion of pleasurable exercise experiences.

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