Influence of Puberal Development on Responses to Motivated Exercise

Abstract

Junior high school boys, classified into stages of pre-pubescent, pubescent, and post-pubescent development, performed two exercise trials on a bicycle ergometer, one trial motivated by personal urging and encouragement and the other trial non-motivated. Response to exercise and motivation was observed in terms of work output and cardiovascular adjustment. Significant differences in work output were found between the puberal groups, but the differences between the motivated and non-motivated trials were not significant. Cardiovascular recovery from exercise was hindered by motivation; also nausea was a frequent occurence following the motivated trial but not following the non-motivated trial.