Researchers: Exercise Must Be Rewarding

OK, it’s possible that this finding, from researchers at Iowa State University, won’t shock Sportsgeezer readers: people are more likely to continue exercising if the exercise is enjoyable. An Iowa State news release reports that researchers did two studies of activity levels for people just starting to work out (initiators), and those who had been exercising regularly (maintainers) for at least three months. In the first study, participants reported on the  duration and intensity of exercise each week. In the second, accelerometers were used to track activity. Here’s what they found: If initiators enjoyed exercising, they were more likely to continue, but it was still an intentional process. Nope, not good enough. Maintainers were different. They had developed a habit and the intrinsic reward helped maintain that habit in response to a cue. The bottom line: exercise goals, like losing weight, are great, whether they are achieved or not, but the best thing you can do is make exercise a habit, and the best way to do that is to make it rewarding.