AUTHOR=Gottschall Jinger S. , Hastings Bryce 

TITLE=A comparison of physiological intensity and psychological perceptions during three different group exercise formats

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1138605

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1138605

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that group fitness would be one of the top three fitness trends in 2020.  Our past research highlights many of the reasons why, such as greater levels of exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction.  A group enhances intensity in the form of higher heart rate during cardiorespiratory classes as well as heavier weight selection during strength classes.  In the last five years, streaming (live classes on screen with other participants visible) and on demand (pre-recorded classes on screen without other participants visible) formats have grown in popularity.  Our goal is to compare the physiological intensity and psychological perceptions of live group, live streaming, and non-live on demand classes.  We hypothesize that live classes will have the greatest cardiovascular intensity, enjoyment, and satisfaction followed by streaming and finally on demand. Fifty-four adults between 18-63 years, who regularly participate in group fitness classes, recorded their heart rate with a chest transmitter during all three formats during a mixed-martial arts cardiovascular class on consecutive weeks in random order.  We calculated the mean, identified the max, and extracted the top 300 values (5 minutes) for comparison between conditions. Following each class, they completed an online survey to evaluate their rate of perceived exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction.  Confirming our hypothesis, mean class heart rate and mean heart rate for the five minutes at the highest intensity were 9% greater during the live group format compared to both live streaming and non-live on demand (all values, p < 0.01).  However, there was no difference in any heart rate variables between the streaming and on demand formats.  To add, rate of perceived exertion, enjoyment, and satisfaction were all significantly greater during the live session compared to the home collections (all values, p < 0.05).  Streaming and on demand group fitness formats are viable options for maintaining regular physical activity routines.  But live classes are ideal to maximize both physiological intensity and psychological perceptions.