The feeling scale as a tool for regulating aerobic exercise intensity: exploring positive, neutral, and negative affective valence

Objective Previous studies on affect-based exercise prescription have focused almost exclusively on women and on positive affective valence. This study aimed to investigate the ability of men and women to use the Feeling Scale (FS), including negative, neutral, and positive values, to regulate aerobic exercise intensity. Methods Thirty participants (18 men, 12 women), aged 18 to 35, completed three 25-min aerobic exercise sessions. Sessions were prescribed at specific Feeling Scale (FS) scores: + 3 (good), 0 (neutral), and -3 (bad). Participants’ self-selected exercise intensity was measured using mechanical (relative peak power output—%PPO), physiological (% of peak heart rate—%HR Peak ), and psychophysiological (ratings of perceived exertion—RPE) markers. Results A significant increase in self-selected intensity was observed during the -3 (bad) session compared to the + 3 (good) and 0 (neutral) sessions, as measured by %HR Peak (p < 0.001; η 2 p = 0.385), %PPO (p = 0.002; η 2 p = 0.295), and RPE (p < 0.001; η 2 p = 0.683). No significant difference was found in %HR Peak (p = 0.45) or %PPO (p = 1.00) between the FS + 3 and FS0 sessions. However, higher RPE responses were observed in the FS0 session compared to the FS + 3 session (p = 0.04). Conclusions The use of the FS with a negative score appears to be a valid tool for allowing individuals to select higher intensities during aerobic exercise, considering RPE for intensity control. Further research is needed to better understand the use of neutral affect and its relationship with mechanical and physiological variables in exercise prescription.