AUTHOR=Flack Kyle D. , Ufholz Kelsey , Johnson LuAnn , Roemmich James N. 

TITLE=Increasing the Reinforcing Value of Exercise in Overweight Adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00265

DOI=10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00265

ISSN=1662-5153

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives</bold>: This study determined whether a moderate- or high-dose exercise program increases exercise reinforcement. Increasing the relative reinforcing value of exercise (RRV<sub>exercise</sub>; i.e., incentive sensitization of exercise) may increase the usual physical activity (PA) participation. Preference and/or tolerance for the intensity of exercise was also assessed.</p><p><bold>Design</bold>: Sedentary men and women (body mass index, BMI: 25–35 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were randomized into parallel exercise training groups expending either 300 (<italic>n</italic> = 18) or 600 (<italic>n</italic> = 18) kcal/exercise session, five sessions/week, for 12 weeks.</p><p><bold>Methods</bold>: The RRV<sub>exercise</sub> was determined by how much work was performed for exercise relative to a sedentary alternative in a progressive ratio schedule task. Preference and tolerance for exercise intensity were determined by questionnaire.</p><p><bold>Results</bold>: RRV<sub>exercise</sub> increased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) in both groups. Exercise reinforcement, defined as the amount of work completed for exercise without taking sedentary activity into account, increased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01) in the 600 kcal group only. Preference and tolerance for exercise intensity increased (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01) in both groups, which predicted increases in RRV<sub>exercise</sub>.</p><p><bold>Conclusion</bold>: Expending 300 or 600 kcal, 5 days/week increases RRV<sub>exercise</sub>, while 600 kcal, 5 days/week may be needed to increase exercise reinforcement.</p>