Emotions and exercise: mapping emotions through exercise to design for a healthier lifestyle
File(s)
Author(s)
Hewitt, Stephanie
Type
Thesis
Abstract
This thesis explores the relationship between human emotions and exercise, offering new insights that can inform the development of visualisations and tools to aid exercise intervention design. The central argument is that a deeper understanding of emotional drivers and barriers can help exercisers and designers navigate the emotional dimensions of an active lifestyle more effectively.
A review of literature across public health, exercise psychology, and sports science highlights emotions as both motivators and obstacles to exercise. Further exploration into emotion models and behavioural science reveals a gap in research on the nuanced relationship between emotions and different types of exercise. A systematic review confirms this lack of focus, prompting two user-focused studies to map the relationship comprehensively.
A mixed-method approach was employed, beginning with identifying broad emotional patterns, which then informed an exploration of the underlying reasons behind these emotions. The first study, a quantitative analysis, identifies eight key emotions associated with exercise: calmness, excitement, interest, joy, pride, relief, satisfaction, and triumph. It examines how these emotions vary across five factors: participant sex, timing, athletic level, group size, and exercise type. Findings allow for the initial visualisation of emotional patterns.
The second study, a qualitative investigation, delves into these emotions through participant narratives, uncovering thirteen themes explaining why and how each emotion is experienced. By analysing these emotional connections, this study provides a deeper understanding of how and why exercise elicits specific emotional responses. These findings contribute to the development of more emotionally informed exercise design, helping to create experiences that align with individuals' emotional motivations and barriers.
By examining both broad emotional trends and individual experiences, this research deepens knowledge of how emotions shape exercise engagement. The findings support exercisers and designers in leveraging emotional insights to promote active lifestyles and improve intervention strategies.
A review of literature across public health, exercise psychology, and sports science highlights emotions as both motivators and obstacles to exercise. Further exploration into emotion models and behavioural science reveals a gap in research on the nuanced relationship between emotions and different types of exercise. A systematic review confirms this lack of focus, prompting two user-focused studies to map the relationship comprehensively.
A mixed-method approach was employed, beginning with identifying broad emotional patterns, which then informed an exploration of the underlying reasons behind these emotions. The first study, a quantitative analysis, identifies eight key emotions associated with exercise: calmness, excitement, interest, joy, pride, relief, satisfaction, and triumph. It examines how these emotions vary across five factors: participant sex, timing, athletic level, group size, and exercise type. Findings allow for the initial visualisation of emotional patterns.
The second study, a qualitative investigation, delves into these emotions through participant narratives, uncovering thirteen themes explaining why and how each emotion is experienced. By analysing these emotional connections, this study provides a deeper understanding of how and why exercise elicits specific emotional responses. These findings contribute to the development of more emotionally informed exercise design, helping to create experiences that align with individuals' emotional motivations and barriers.
By examining both broad emotional trends and individual experiences, this research deepens knowledge of how emotions shape exercise engagement. The findings support exercisers and designers in leveraging emotional insights to promote active lifestyles and improve intervention strategies.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2023-01-14
Date Awarded
2025-03-01
Copyright Statement
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC)
License URL
Advisor
Sheldrick, Leila
Baxter, Weston
Baxter, Weston
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Publisher Department
Dyson School of Design Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)