Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lesley C. Knapp
Professor Tourtellotte
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.................................................................3
Purpose.............................................................................3
Research Procedures.....................................................4
Research Results..........................................................5
Discussion of Results....................................................5
Summary......................................................................6
References...................................................................6
IS IT FUN OR IS IT EXERCISE? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 3
Introduction
Can your views and the way you approach exercise influence the number of
calories you consume post workout? Researchers from the Cornell University Food and
Brand Lab believe so. To test this theory, they conducted two experimental studies and
exercise in a positive way can prevent post exercise diet sabotage. I am only going to
analyze the second experimental study in this paper, because it is the one I can most
easily recreate in my own line of work. In this study, participants who perceived physical
activity as fun (a 1-mile scenic walking tour vs. a 1-mile exercise walk) consumed less
candy after exercising and reported greater energy levels and an overall more positive
Purpose
physical activity through framing can impact subsequent food consumption (Werle,
Wansink and Payne, 2015). Researchers referred to the delay of gratification theory
and the activity engagement theory, which propose that exercisers who are distracted by
fun activities report more enjoyable experiences and better tolerate increased levels of
The researchers hypothesized that labeling an activity as fun may reduce the
likelihood to compensate with food as a reward (2015), because the activity itself is
rewarding. I observed a slightly negative bias regarding the subjects due to the age of the
individuals chosen for the assessment and the fact that the group consisted of 87%
women with sedentary jobs. If a more diverse group of individuals was chosen for the
study, I believe the results would be more credible and applicable to a wider variety of
people. However, the researchers did make a convincing case that a research hypothesis
was important to the study, as evidence suggests that people tend to reward themselves
after exercise with food, so reframing may change the outcome (2015).
Research Procedures
This was a quantitative study because the researchers used surveys and food
scales to collect measurable data from two different groups of people. However, the
sampling procedures in the study did not represent a wide enough population. Forty-six
with an average age of 44.35 were selected as participants. This study was conducted
outdoors and consisted of a 1-mile walk. One group was told that they would be
participating in an exercise walk while the other group was told that they were going on a
sightseeing walk. At six different points along the route, group one (the exercise group)
was asked to rate their energy levels. However, group two (the fun sightseeing group)
was asked to observe and evaluate six different points along the route. At the end of the
walk, each participant was given a Ziploc bag to fill with M&Ms as a thank you gift. The
IS IT FUN OR IS IT EXERCISE? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 5
M&Ms were served in 1-gallon size serving bowls and each participant used the same
quarter cup scoop to fill their bag. The bags were then unknowingly weighed and the
calories were calculated. The results showed that the individuals in the exercise group
took an average of 372.2 calories worth of M&Ms, over twice as many as those in the
The research procedures were appropriate and clearly described and could easily
Capstone. The only part of the study I was not clear on was how they determined the
exertion level of the participants, other than by survey questions. It may be that the fun
group of participants took more time and walked more leisurely when they were told it
was a sightseeing walk and therefore were not as hungry at the end. I think a way to
ensure that participants are exerting the same amount of energy is to have them wear a
Research Results
techniques were used correctly. The researchers ensured standardization in regards to the
size of the scoop used for the M&Ms and they also ensured that participants complete the
physical activity and M&M scooping on their own, so their emotions or consumption
were not influenced by other participants. The variable (candy) emerged in a meaningful
way and provided evidence to support the idea that those who viewed exercise as the
reward were less likely to self-license and treat themselves to an excess of M&Ms
(Self-licensing, 2017).
IS IT FUN OR IS IT EXERCISE? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 6
Discussion of Results
The results of this study support the original hypothesis that framing an activity as
fun can change the way a person eats after exercising. These results also support the
activity engagement theory and determine that as long as the activity itself is rewarding
and enjoyable, there is no need to compensate with something enjoyable afterwards. The
researchers drew reasonable implications for practice from the findings because this
study can be recreated easily in everyday life. Presenting the results to the participants
and to the public can to influence people to make physical activity fun by sightseeing,
geocaching, or talking with friends in order to help them reach their fitness goals without
Summary
This study was very eye opening and has tremendous value to me as a personal
trainer. These results will remind me to keep my training sessions fun and rewarding
instead of grueling and painful. When creating my Capstone I will now emphasize the
importance of working out because you love your body, not because you hate it.
Spreading this simple phrase throughout the fitness community can reframe the way
people look at exercise and will encourage them to find activities that they love and that
References
Higgins, E. T., & Trope, Y. (1990). Activity engagement theory: Implications of multiply
Lickerman, A. (2012). The Power Of Delaying Gratification. Retrieved March 27, 2017,
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201207/the-
power-delaying-gratification
Self-licensing. (2017, March 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March
licensing&oldid=771078863
doi:10.1007/s11002-014-9301-6
Wood, J. (n.d.). How to Read and Analyze Research Like a Pro. Retrieved March 18,
like-a-pro
IS IT FUN OR IS IT EXERCISE? A CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER 8