Exercise Experiences, Flow, Anxiety, Comfort and Motivation Among Women

Background/Purpose: The objectification of women’s bodies often results in a number of negative psychological and behavioral outcomes, including poor body image and avoidance of physical activity (Vartanian & Shaprow, 2007). Moreover, women’s physical self-perceptions are associated with exercise experiences, often influencing the degree to which a woman experiences flow, anxiety, comfort, and motivation (Frederick son & Roberts, 1997; Strelan, Mehaffey, & Tiggeman, 2003). While these psychosocial variables impact the exercise experience independently, there is a gap in the literature regarding the associations between the flow experience, anxiety, comfort, and motivation during exercise. This study examined the relationships between flow, anxiety, comfort, and exercise motivation among recreationally active women.

Method: Participants, 278 women (M age = 26.75, SD = 9.05), completed the following measures via an online survey: Flow State Scale (Jackson & Eklund, 2002), Social Physique Anxiety Scale (Hart et. al, 1989), and Exercise Avoidance Motivation Scale (Vartanian & Shaprow, 2007). Additionally, participants answered a single item on exercise apparel comfort. 

Analysis/Results: Flow was negatively associated with social physique anxiety (SPA) and exercise avoidance motivation (EAM). Correlations between flow subscales and SPA ranged between -.42 and -.27, p’s < .001. Associations between flow subscales and EAM ranged between -.46 and -.37, p’s < .001. Flow was positively related with participants’ exercise apparel comfort. Flow subscales and comfort had correlations between .12 and .18, p’s < .05. There were also significant relationships between PSA and EAM (r = .49, p < .001); SPA and comfort (r = -.37, p < .001); and EAM and comfort (r = -.23, p < .001). 

Conclusions: Better understanding the role of flow in the exercise experiences of women may be a useful approach to creating and promoting healthy exercise environments for women. As a first step, the results of this study indicate that women with less frequent flow experiences have higher levels of SPA and EAM. Exercise environments that lessen body objectification may influence the formation of intrinsic motivation, allowing for improved self-perceptions and valuing of physical activity. Future research should explore the impact of enhancing the flow experience to decrease anxiety, and increase comfort and motivation in a fitness setting.