The role of the type A personality on perceived exertion

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Authors
Masters, Jill
Advisor
Issue Date
1996
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
School of Physical Education
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The Borg scale, commonly referred to as the RPE (ratings of percieved exertion) scale, is commonly used during exercise testing as a measure to see how the test is going. More recently it has become popular as a measure to regulate exercise intensity. This can present a number of problems for the perception of effort is influenced by a number of variables. The variable of interest in this study is that of the type A behavior pattern.The type A behavior pattern is characterized by a sense of time urgency, exaggerated achievement striving and increased aggressive behavior in reponse to frustrating situations. Some studies focusing on this behavior pattern have shown that type A individuals tend to ignore or suppress pain, to persist at a task despite feelings of exhaustion and to suppress fatigue in order to continue a treadmill test.PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to compare the perceived exertion of individuals typed A or B who are then randomly assigned to a competitive or non-competitive situation. Cycling distance, heart rate, and RPE will be compared over a 20 minute cycle ergometer ride. Those individuals typed A in the competitive condition will be expected to travel further with similar RPE's.SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study will help in determining if RPE can reliably be used as a measure of exercise intensity for certain individuals. It will also increase our understanding of how type A and B personalities differ in their understanding and perception of exercise intensity.METHODS: A total of 126 male and female subjects between the ages of 20-30 were recruited for this study. An initial screening using the Jenkins Activity Survey and the Type A Self-Report Inventory will place subjects in either the type A or type B group. Subjects will then be randomly assigned to a competitive or non-competitive situation.At the beginning of the session subjects will complete a 3minute step test followed by the completion of a number of self-report instruments not pertinent to the present study. Subjects will ride on the cycle ergometer for 20 minutes as RPE and heart rate are monitored every 5 minutes. Those subjects in the competitive situation will be told that the distance covered will be compared to other participants. Posttest instruments will then be completed and after 20 minutes have elapsed, subjects will be asked to think back on the exercise bout and again estimate their highest level of perceived exertion. Distance will be noted by the experimentor.RESULTS: Subjects in the competitive condition cycled approximately 14 percent farther than those in the noncompetitive condition. RPE did not differ between the type A competitive and noncompetitive group but the competitive group did cycle farther. No correlations were found between RPE and heart rate.CONCLUSIONS:By traveling further with simliar RPE values the type A subjects did suppress fatigue when given a task of a competitive nature. A trend was found for type A subjects to ignore bodily sensations and proceed longer at a task than type B subjects.

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