Acute physiological and affective responses in postmenopausal women during prescribed and self-selected aerobic exercise

Few elderly meet current physical activity (PA) guidelines. The limitations for PA adherence is due the barriers found such as displeasure, discomfort, pain and sense of exhaustion. Self-selected exercise has been strategy for PA adherence, due greatest tolerance by aerobic exercise practitioners. The aim of this study was investigate physiological and psychological responses in prescribed and self-selected sessions in postmenopausal women. It was recruited 27 women active. The study consisted 3 moments: familiarization, self-selected, prescribed sessions. The intensity of self-selected session was replicated in prescribed session. There was significant main effect of the time for HR (p=0,047), FS (p=0,009) and Borg scale (p=0,012). Session by time interaction the significant main effect in HR (p<0,001). Significant mean difference was observed for psychological variables FS (p= 0,011), Borg scale (p= 0,016) and ITL (p<0,001). This study demonstrates the self-selected session relationship with greatest affection and low perceived effort exercise when compared to prescribed exercise