Affective, Physiological and Perceptual Responses to Concentric and Eccentric Dominant Exercise in Young and Older Adults

Abstract

The present programme of research sought to explore how differences in physiological and perceptual responses to concentric (CON) and eccentric-dominant (ECC) exercise influence affective responses. Three interrelated studies were conducted to achieve this aim. Study 1 examined the physiological, perceptual and affective responses to uphill (+10% [CON]) versus downhill (-10% [ECC]) walking in healthy young adults. Study 1 demonstrated that lower physiological and perceptual demand experienced during ECC were accompanied by more pleasant affective states when compared to CON exercise. Study 2 extended these observations, examining responses to level (0% [CON]) and downhill walking (-15% [ECC]) in a cohort of healthy older adults. Study 2 showed that CON is perceived to be more pleasurable and enjoyable than ECC, leading to more positive recollection and prediction of the affective exercise experience among older adults. Study 3 examined the physiological, affective and perceptual responses to a repeated bout of ECC in older adults. The study revealed that a second bout of ECC (ECC2) is perceived to be more pleasurable and enjoyable than an initial bout of ECC (ECC1), leading to more positive recollection and prediction of the affective exercise experience among older adults thus indicating a potential psychological repeated bout effect (RBE). This programme of research provides evidence that affective responses to exercise depend on the dominant type of muscle contraction (and resulting physiological and perceptual stress), the age of exercising participants, and whether ECC exercise is performed single or repeated bouts. This information may be useful when prescribing exercise to those beginning an exercise programme where attrition/adherence issues are most prevalent. The collective observations presented here further the scientific understanding of the suitability of ECC for older adults and lays the groundwork for further establishing the potential effectiveness of long term ECC training in older people.

Date of Award	Apr 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Coventry University
Supervisor	Matt Hill (Supervisor), Michael Duncan (Supervisor), Jason Tallis (Supervisor) & Darren Richardson (Supervisor)