Authors
Ernst A. Hansen, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
Jonathan H. Ipsen, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
Jari V. Schneider, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
Simon B.B. Petersen, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
Alexander W. Petersen, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
Marianne Lindahl, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark
International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 1344-1354, 2025.
DOI: 10.70252/NCPI2090
Abstract
For advancement of public health through exercise, exercise intensity and enjoyment are important. We aimed at testing whether self-selected exercise intensity was higher during treadmill exercise than during indoor cycling. Secondly, the enjoyment associated with the two activities was evaluated. Thirdly, in a person-centered analysis, taking into account the participants’ preference for mode of activity, we assessed whether preference for one of the activity modes was accompanied by greater intensity. Healthy adults (n=21) participated in the repeated measures crossover-designed study. They performed 16-min bouts of treadmill exercise and indoor cycling at self-selected intensity. Heart rate was recorded to determine the intensity. Enjoyment associated with the exercise activity was determined by a questionnaire. Intensity in terms of heart rate as percent of maximal heart rate was not different between treadmill exercise and indoor cycling (p=0.148). Enjoyment, on the other hand, was 4.4±7.6 units greater for treadmill exercise than for indoor cycling (p=0.012). Seventeen of the participants had a preferred mode of activity, when asked before any testing. The person-centered analysis, which took into account the participants’ preference for the mode of activity, showed that intensity was 4±7 percentage points higher (p=0.029) during the preferred mode of activity as compared to the other activity. In summary, the study showed that the self-selected intensity was not different between treadmill exercise and indoor cycling, while the enjoyment was found to be greater during treadmill exercise. A person-centered analysis showed that intensity was higher during the preferred mode of activity than during the other activity.
Recommended Citation
Hansen, Ernst A.; Ipsen, Jonathan H.; Schneider, Jari V.; Petersen, Simon B.B.; Petersen, Alexander W.; Lindahl, Marianne (2025) “Treadmill Exercise and Indoor Cycling: Self-selected Intensity, Perceived Enjoyment, and Importance of Preference for Activity Mode,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 18 : Iss. 5, Pages 1344-1354.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/NCPI2090