Listening to the heart. Getting closer to the somatic core of affective valuation of exercise through heart rate variability analysis

Abstract Objective The affective-reflective theory of physical inactivity and exercise suggests that the mere thought of exercise can lead to an immediate somato-affective response which, if negative, will drive a physically inactive person to maintain his or her current exercise-avoidant behavior. This study aimed to test the assumption that the somatic core of this affective response can be identified by means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Design This study followed a within-subject experimental design. Method Participants were 91 adult men and women whose HR and HRV were monitored whilst they viewed exercise-related and control pictures in a laboratory setting. Results Analyses revealed a decrease in HRV during the viewing of exercise-related pictures in less physically active participants. These participants reported that the same pictures elicited feelings with relatively low affective valence and arousal. There were no changes in HR. Conclusion The findings indicate that core affective valuations are reflected in the body’s psychophysiological reactions already at the mere thought of exercise.