Appearance- versus Function-Based Verbal Cues during Exercise in Young Non-Exercising Women
Abstract
This experimental study assessed the acute effects of appearance- versus function-based verbal cues during exercise on indices of self-objectification and exercise engagement among young women non-exercisers. Participants were randomized into one of three exercise conditions (appearance, neutral, function), where an instructor delivered verbal cues during a 20-minute treadmill exercise task. Participants completed a baseline assessment of trait self-objectification, and a post-manipulation survey examining psychological states (self-objectification, body shame, social physique anxiety, flow, and interoceptive awareness) and exercise engagement (intent to exercise, exercise enjoyment, exercise motivation). The total sample included 102 women (Mage = 20.2 years, SDage = 2.1 years). Only exercise enjoyment in the neutral condition was significantly higher compared to the function condition [F (2, 95) = 5.155, p = .007]. Exposure to an objectifying exercise environment did not significantly impact the psychological experiences of non-exercising women. Exercise environments that are body-neutral may lead to greater exercise enjoyment.