Affective Responses to Fitness Testing in College-Aged Women

This study focused on physical inactivity and weight issues among college-aged women, who are often targeted for obesity prevention. It explored the emotional responses of women to fitness testing, a common practice in this context. The study involved 48 college-aged women who were assessed based on their performance in six fitness tests compared to normative standards. The findings revealed that greater negative discrepancies from these standards were associated with more significant negative emotional responses. Particularly, discrepancies related to body appearance and aerobic fitness posed a threat to participants' perceived satisfaction with their physical selves, leading to stronger negative emotional reactions. These findings suggest that fitness testing can affect individuals differently, potentially influencing their motivation and future behavioral choices to address these discrepancies. Professionals should consider the emotional impact of providing fitness test results and its potential implications for individuals' motivation and behavior.