Self-selected Recovery in High-intensity Interval Training Promotes Positive Responses in Affect, Pleasure, and Mood in Young People

Introduction: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with self-selected recovery can promote positive emotional responses. This study aimed to verify the acute responses to HIIT with fixed recovery and to select high scorers on the state of affect, enjoyment, and mood in healthy young people. Methods: Nineteen participants took part in the study (19.0±1.0 years, 64.0±9.2 kg, 169.1±8.5, and 22.0±2.0 BMI). They performed 10 x 30 s (95% V_peak) with 1 min recovery (HIIT_RecA - active - 40% V_peak) and self-selected (HIIT_Rec-B). Affect, enjoyment, and mood were assessed before and after HIIT (both conditions). Results: In both conditions, for time 1 and 2 were positive in positive (p=.170, EF: .102) and negative (p=.0.90, EF: .151) affect, pleasure (p=.010, EF: .315), and mood domains (tension: p<.001, EF: .673; depression: p=.015, EF: .286), anger: p=.033, EF: .230, and mental confusion: p<.001, EF: .451). In contrast, there was a reduction in the vigor domain and an increase in fatigue, with no differences in all emotional variables for condition and time*condition (p>.05). Conclusion: Thus, selected self-recovery may be a strategy in prescribing HIIT with possibilities of not interfering with the emotional aspects, researched here.