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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #354085
Title: Increasing the reinforcing value of exercise in overweight adults

Author
item FLACK, KYLE - University Of Kentucky
item UFHOLZ, KELSEY - Former ARS Employee
item JOHNSON, LUANN - Former ARS Employee
item Roemmich, James

Submitted to: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2019
Publication Date: 12/3/2019
Citation: Flack, K.D., Ufholz, K., Johnson, L., Roemmich, J.N. 2019. Increasing the reinforcing value of exercise in overweight adults. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00265.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00265

Interpretive Summary: Scientists at the Grand Forks human Nutrition Research Center studied whether participating in moderate- or high-doses of exercise could increase the motivation to exercise in humans. The process of increasing exercise reinforcement, known as incentive sensitization of exercise, would hopefully increase usual physical activity participation. The participants Preference and/or tolerance for the discomfort felt during exercise was also measured. Sedentary men and women were randomized to exercise training groups that expended either 300 or 600 kcal/exercise session, 5 sessions/week, for 12 weeks. Exercise motivation increased in the 600kcal group. Preference and tolerance for exercise increased in both groups, and predicted increases in exercise motivation. We conclude that expending 600 kcal, 5 days/week can increase exercise reinforcement.

Technical Abstract: Objectives: This study determined whether a moderate- or high-dose exercise program increases exercise reinforcement. Increasing exercise reinforcement (incentive sensitization of exercise) may increase usual physical activity participation. Preference and/or tolerance for exercise discomfort was also assessed. Design: Sedentary men and women (BMI: 25-35 kg/m2), were randomized into parallel exercise training groups expending either 300 (n=18) or 600 (n=18) kcal/exercise session, 5 sessions/week, for 12 weeks. Methods: The relative reinforcing value of exercise (RRVexercise) was determined by how much work was performed for exercise vs a sedentary alternative. Preference and tolerance for exercise discomfort were determined by questionnaire. Results: RRVexercise increased (P<0.05) in both groups. Exercise reinforcement increased (P<0.01) in the 600kcal group. Preference and tolerance for exercise increased (P<0.01) in both groups, which predicted increases in RRVexercise. Conclusion: Expending 300 or 600 kcal, 5 days/week may increase RRVexercise, while 600 kcal, 5 days/week may increase exercise reinforcement.