Adaptation to Exertive Effort: Imagery’s Effects

Background: Effort perceptions are important determinants of effort output in sport and exercise. Drawing from the Effort-related Model (Tenenbaum, 2001) the purpose of this study was to test the effects of differential imagery use on select psychophysical correlates of exertive effort.

Methods: Forty-five participants (22 males, 23 females) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, dissociative imagery, and associative imagery. Participants cycled at 10% above anaerobic threshold to volitional fatigue. RPE, attention, and HR (at 1min intervals), and lactate levels (RPE=5, and at task completion) were recorded.

Results: Participants using associative imagery remained longest on task, and reported highest RPEs, resulting in a significant main effect for experimental condition for these variables. Participants using associative imagery reported the highest mean attention focus, while participants using the dissociative imagery remained a longer time than others until feeling strong exertive sensations. No significant condition effect was noted for Lactic Acid.

Discussion and Conclusions: The use of dissociative imagery mediated effort perceptions by reducing perceived exertion. Use of associative imagery increased time on task. Thus, imagery content affects the adaptation process during fatigue accumulation. Practitioners can design strategies to facilitate adjustment to effort in order to ultimately increase adherence to activity in sport and exercise.