Let’s Walk Outdoors! Self-Paced Walking Outdoors Improves Future Intention to Exercise in Women With Obesity

Click name to view affiliation

Kleverton Krinski Federal University of Vale do São Francisco

Search for other papers by Kleverton Krinski in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Daniel G. S. Machado Londrina State University
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Search for other papers by Daniel G. S. Machado in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Luciana S. Lirani Federal University of Vale do São Francisco

Search for other papers by Luciana S. Lirani in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Sergio G. DaSilva Federal University of Paraná

Search for other papers by Sergio G. DaSilva in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Eduardo C. Costa Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Search for other papers by Eduardo C. Costa in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Sarah J. Hardcastle Curtin University

Search for other papers by Sarah J. Hardcastle in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Hassan M. Elsangedy Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

Search for other papers by Hassan M. Elsangedy in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2016-0220
First Published Online:
15 May 2017
In Print:
Volume 39: Issue 2
Page Range:
145–157
Restricted access

In order to examine whether environmental settings influence psychological and physiological responses of women with obesity during self-paced walking, 38 women performed two exercise sessions (treadmill and outdoors) for 30 min, where oxygen uptake, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, affect, attentional focus, enjoyment, and future intentions to walk were analyzed. Physiological responses were similar during both sessions. However, during outdoor exercise, participants displayed higher externally focused attention, positive affect, and lower ratings of perceived exertion, followed by greater enjoyment and future intention to participate in outdoor walking. The more externally focused attention predicted greater future intentions to participate in walking. Therefore, women with obesity self-selected an appropriate exercise intensity to improve fitness and health in both environmental settings. Also, self-paced outdoor walking presented improved psychological responses. Health care professionals should consider promoting outdoor forms of exercise to maximize psychological benefits and promote long-term adherence to a physically active lifestyle.

Kleverton Krinski and Luciana S. Lirani are with the Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. Daniel G. S. Machado, Eduardo C. Costa, and Hassan M. Elsangedy are with the Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Daniel G. S. Machado is also a PhD student at the Center of Physical Education and Sport, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Sergio G. DaSilva is with the Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Sarah J. Hardcastle is with the Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Address author correspondence to Hassan Mohamed Elsangedy at hassan.elsangedy@gmail.com.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

  • Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhi & J. Beckmann (Eds.), Action control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11–39). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Archer, E., Hand, G.A., & Blair, S.N. (2013). Validity of U.S. nutritional surveillance: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey caloric energy intake data, 1971–2010. PLoS ONE, 8(10), 76632. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Berryman, N., Gayda, M., Nigam, A., Juneau, M., Bherer, L., & Bosquet, L. (2012). Comparison of the metabolic energy cost of overground and treadmill walking in older adults. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(5), 1613–1620. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Borg, G.A. (1982). Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 14(5), 377–381. doi:

  • Bruce, R.A., Kusumi, F., & Hosmer, D. (1973). Fundamentals of clinical cardiology. American Heart Journal, 85(4), 546–562. doi:

  • Caiozzo, V.J., Davis, J.A., Ellis, J.F., Azus, J.L., Vandagriff, R., Prietto, C.A., & McMaster, W.C. (1982). A comparison of gas exchange indices used to detect the anaerobic threshold. Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental and Exercise Physiology, 53(5), 1184–1189.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dalle Grave, R., Calugi, S., Centis, E., El Ghoch, M., & Marchesini, G. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral strategies to increase the adherence to exercise in the management of obesity. Journal of Obesity, 2011, 348293. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DaSilva, S.G., Elsangedy, H.M., Krinski, K., de Campos, W., Buzzachera, C.F., Krause, M.P., … Robertson, R.J. (2011). Effect of body mass index on affect at intensities spanning the ventilatory threshold. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 113(2), 575–588. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DaSilva, S.G., Guidetti, L., Buzzachera, C.F., Elsangedy, H.M., Colombo, H., Krinski, K., … Baldari, C. (2009). The influence of adiposity on physiological, perceptual, and affective responses during walking at a self-selected pace. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 109(1), 41–60. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dasilva, S.G., Guidetti, L., Buzzachera, C.F., Elsangedy, H.M., Krinski, K., De Campos, W., … Baldari, C. (2011). Psychophysiological responses to self-paced treadmill and overground exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(6), 1114–1124. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • DaSilva, S.G., Guidetti, L., Buzzachera, C.F., Elsangedy, H.M., Krinski, K., Krause, M.P., … Baldari, C. (2010). Age and physiological, perceptual, and affective responses during walking at a self-selected pace. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 111(3), 963–978. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dunton, G.F., Berrigan, D., Ballard-Barbash, R., Graubard, B.I., & Atienza, A.A. (2009). Environmental influences on exercise intensity and duration in a U.S. time use study. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(9), 1698–1705. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekkekakis, P. (2003). Pleasure and displeasure from the body: Perspectives from exercise. Cognition Emotion, 17(2), 213–239. doi:

  • Ekkekakis, P. (2009). The dual-mode theory of affective responses to exercise in metatheoretical context: I. Initial impetus, basic postulates, and philosophical framework. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2(2), 139–160. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekkekakis, P., Backhouse, S.H., Gray, C., & Lind, E. (2008). Walking is popular among adults but is it pleasant? A framework for clarifying the link between walking and affect as illustrated in two studies. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9(3), 246–264. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekkekakis, P., & Lind, E. (2006). Exercise does not feel the same when you are overweight: The impact of self-selected and imposed intensity on affect and exertion. International Journal of Obesity, 30(4), 652–660. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekkekakis, P., Lind, E., & Vazou, S. (2009). Affective responses to increasing levels of exercise intensity in normal-weight, overweight, and obese middle-aged women. Obesity, 18(1), 79–85. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ekkekakis, P., Vazou, S., Bixby, W.R., & Georgiadis, E. (2016). The mysterious case of the public health guideline that is (almost) entirely ignored: Call for a research agenda on the causes of the extreme avoidance of physical activity in obesity. Obesity Reviews, 17(4), 313–329. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Elsangedy, H.M., Krinski, K., Costa, E.C., Haile, L., Fonteles, A.I., Timossi, L.d.S., … da Silva, G.S. (2013). The rating of perceived exertion is not different at the ventilatory threshold in sedentary women with different body mass indices. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 11(2), 102–106. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Focht, B.C. (2009). Brief walks in outdoor and laboratory environments: Effects on affective responses, enjoyment, and intentions to walk for exercise. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 80(3), 611–620.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Focht, B.C. (2013). Affective responses to 10-minute and 30-minute walks in sedentary, overweight women: Relationships with theory-based correlates of walking for exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(5), 759–766. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Garber, C.E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M.R., Franklin, B.A., Lamonte, M.J., Lee, I.-M., … Swain, D.P. (2011). Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: Guidance for prescribing exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(7), 1334–1359. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gladwell, V.F., Brown, D.K., Wood, C., Sandercock, G.R., & Barton, J.L. (2013). The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine, 2(3), 1–7. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hampson, D.B., St Clair Gibson, A., Lambert, M.I., & Noakes, T.D. (2001). The influence of sensory cues on the perception of exertion during exercise and central regulation of exercise performance. Sports Medicine, 31(13), 935–952. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hardcastle, S.J., & Hagger, M.S. (2016). Psychographic profiling for effective health behavior change interventions. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(4), 430–438. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hardcastle, S.J., Hancox, J., Hattar, A., Maxwell-Smith, C., Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., & Hagger, M.S. (2015). Motivating the unmotivated: How can health behavior be changed in those unwilling to change? Frontiers in Psychology, 6(June), 1–4. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hardy, C.J., & Rejeski, W.J. (1989). Not what, but how one feels: The measurement of affect during exercise. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 11, 304–317.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Harte, J.L., & Eifert, G.H. (1995). The effects of running, environment, and attentional focus on athletes’ catecholamine and cortisol levels and mood. Psychophysiology, 32(1), 49–54. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jones, L., Karageorghis, C.I., & Ekkekakis, P. (2014). Can high-intensity exercise be more pleasant?: Attentional dissociation using music and video. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36(5), 528–541.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kahneman, D. (1999). Objective happiness. In D. Kahneman, E. Diener, & N. Schwarz (Eds.), Well-being: The foundation of hedonic psychology (pp. 3–25). New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Karageorghis, C.I., Hutchinson, J.C., Jones, L., Farmer, H.L., Ayhan, M.S., Wilson, R.C., … Bailey, S.G. (2013). Psychological, psychophysical, and ergogenic effects of music in swimming. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(4), 560–568. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kendzierski, D., & DeCarlo, K.J. (1991). Physical activity enjoyment scale: Two validation studies. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 13(1), 50–64. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kirsch, I. (1997). Response expectancy theory and application: A decennial review. Applied & Preventive Psychology, 6, 69–79. doi:

  • Kwan, B.M., & Bryan, A. (2010). In-task and post-task affective response to exercise: Translating exercise intentions into behaviour. British Journal of Health Psychology, 15, 115–131. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • LaCaille, R.A., Masters, K.S., & Heath, E.M. (2004). Effects of cognitive strategy and exercise setting on running performance, perceived exertion, affect, and satisfaction. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(4), 461–476. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lacharité-Lemieux, M., Brunelle, J.P., & Dionne, I.J. (2015). Adherence to exercise and affective responses: Comparison between outdoor and indoor training. Menopause, 22(7), 731–740. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lind, E., Ekkekakis, P., & Vazou, S. (2008). The affective impact of exercise intensity that slightly exceeds the preferred level: “Pain” for no additional “gain.” Journal of Health Psychology, 13(4), 464–468. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lind, E., Welch, A.S., & Ekkekakis, P. (2009). Do “mind over muscle” strategies work? Examining the effects of attentional association and dissociation on exertional, affective and physiological responses to exercise. Sports Medicine, 39(9), 743–764. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mattsson, E., Larsson, U.E., & Rössner, S. (1997). Is walking for exercise too exhausting for obese women? International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 21(5), 380–386. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McAuley, E., Mihalko, S.L., & Bane, S.M. (1996). Acute exercise and anxiety reduction: Does the environment matter? Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 18, 408–419.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mellers, B.A., Schwartz, A., & Ritov, D. (1999). Emotion-based choice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 128(3), 332–345. doi:

  • Parfitt, G., Rose, E.A., & Burgess, W.M. (2006). The psychological and physiological responses of sedentary individuals to prescribed and preferred intensity exercise. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(1), 39–53. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rhodes, R.E., & Kates, A. (2015). Can the affective response to exercise predict future motives and physical activity behavior? A systematic review of published evidence. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 49(5), 715–731. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rose, E.A., & Parfitt, G. (2007). A quantitative analysis and qualitative explanation of the individual differences in affective responses to prescribed and self-selected exercise intensities. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29(3), 281–309. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17876968

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schneider, M., Dunn, A.L., & Cooper, D. (2009). Affective, exercise and physical activity among healthy adolescents. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 31(6), 706–723. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sharifi, N., Mahdavi, R., & Ebrahimi-Mameghani, M. (2013). Perceived barriers to weight loss programs for overweight or obese women. Health Promotion Perspectives, 3(1), 11–22. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Street, S.J., Wells, J.C.K., & Hills, A.P. (2015). Windows of opportunity for physical activity in the prevention of obesity. Obesity Reviews, 16(10), 857–870. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Svebak, S., & Murgatroyd, S. (1985). Metamotivational dominance: A multimethod validation of reversal theory constructs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48(1), 107–116. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tammen, V.V. (1996). Elite middle and long distance runners associative/dissociative coping. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 8(1), 1–8. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thompson-Coon, J., Boddy, K., Stein, K., Whear, R., Barton, J., & Depledge, M.H. (2011). Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(5), 1761–1772. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thomson, R.L., Buckley, J.D., & Brinkworth, G.D. (2016). Perceived exercise barriers are reduced and benefits are improved with lifestyle modification in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomised controlled trial. BMC Women’s Health, 16, 14. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tudor-Locke, C., Brashear, M.M., Johnson, W.D., & Katzmarzyk, P.T. (2010). Accelerometer profiles of physical activity and inactivity in normal weight, overweight, and obese U.S. men and women. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7, 60.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Williams, D.M. (2008). Exercise, affect, and adherence: An integrated model and a case for self-paced exercise. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 30(5), 471–496. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Williams, D.M., Dunsiger, S., Ciccolo, J.T., Lewis, B.A., Albrecht, A.E., & Marcus, B.H. (2008). Acute affective response to a moderate-intensity exercise stimulus predicts physical activity participation 6 and 12 months later. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9(3), 231–245. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Williams, D.M., Dunsiger, S., Jennings, E.G., & Marcus, B.H. (2012). Does affective valence during and immediately following a 10-min walk predict concurrent and future physical activity? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 44(1), 43–51. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yeh, H.-P., Stone, J.A., Churchill, S.M., Wheat, J.S., Brymer, E., & Davids, K. (2016). Physical, psychological and emotional benefits of green physical activity: An ecological dynamics perspective. Sports Medicine, 46(7), 947–953. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 4519 474 37
Full Text Views 398 60 1
PDF Downloads 286 32 1