Perceptual and cognitive responses during exercise: Relationships with metamotivational state and dominance

In this study, we examined ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and attentional focus during exercise in relation to telic and paratelic metamotivational dominance and state. Thirty regular exercisers (11 females, 19 males), of whom 10 were telic dominant (mean Paratelic Dominance Scale score 6.292.9), 10 paratelic dominant (mean PDS score 23.891.4), and 10 non-dominant (mean PDS score 15.490.7) completed two exercise trials. In the first trial, the participants completed a maximal ramped exercise test on a motorized treadmill to determine their gas exchange threshold (the speed at which determined exercise intensity of the subsequent trial). Throughout the second trial (a 30-min treadmill run), the participants reported their metamotivational state, RPE, and attentional focus (associative or dissociative) at 5-min intervals. Heart rate was recorded at 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28 min and expired air was analysed for oxygen consumption (VO2) between 1-3, 6-8, 11-13, 16-18, 21-23, and 26-28 min. There was no main effect of dominance or dominance-time interaction on any variables (P>0.05). Oxygen consumption did not differ between states but RPE was higher in the telic than paratelic state at 25 and 30 min (t28=2.87, P