Bump Set Spike: Recreational Volleyball to Lift Affect and Enjoyment.

Background: Current inactivity rates are alarming, and often due to simple barriers: lack of time and enjoyment. Recent literature has focused on high-intensity interval training to reduce exercise time, less emphasis has been given to enjoyment. Purpose: Examine the acute effects of playing volleyball (Active) on affective valence and enjoyment relative to a no exercise control. Methods: Participants [N = 24, 6 females; age (M ± SD); 29.0 ± 6.8 yrs; BMI (M ± SD); 24.0 ± 4.1] played volleyball and a no exercise control for 60 min. Affective valence (FS) and perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed before, immediately and 10-min after, while enjoyment (PACES) was assessed after both conditions. Results: FS was increased following the active condition [Mdiff ± SE ; 1.29 ± 0.43; Cohen's d = .93]. Enjoyment was greater following the active relative to control [Mdiff ± SE; 30.13 ± 2.35; Cohen's d = 3.22]. Conclusion: Playing volleyball was sufficient to increase RPE while also increasing FS values. Additionally, enjoyment was significantly greater following the active condition. This study provides evidence to support the use of sport/alternative modes of exercise to increase exercise enjoyment and affect. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR