Background: Positive affective responses can lead to improved adherence to exercise. This study sought to\nexamine the affective responses and exercise intensity of self-selected exercise in adolescent girls.\nMethods: An observational study where twenty seven females (Age M = 14.6 �± 0.8 years) completed three\n20-minute exercise sessions (2 self-selected and 1 prescribed intensity) and a graded exercise test. The intensity of\nthe prescribed session was matched to the first self-selected session. Intensity, affective responses and ratings of\nperceived exertion were recorded throughout the sessions and differences examined. Repeated measures ANOVAs\nwere conducted to examine differences.\nResults: There were no significant differences in intensity between the prescribed and self-selected sessions, but\naffective responses were significantly more positive (p < .01) during the self-selected session. Ratings of perceived\nexertion were significantly lower (p < .01) during the self-selected session than the prescribed session. On average\nparticipants worked at 72% _V O2 peak; well within the intensity recommended by the American College of Sports\nMedicine.\nConclusion: Even though the intensity did not differ between the self-selected and prescribed sessions, there was\na significant impact on affective responses, with more positive affective responses being elicited in the self-selected\nsession. This highlights the importance of autonomy and self-paced exercise for affective responses and may have\npotential long-term implications for adherence.
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