Psychosomatic Medicine, Vol 55, Issue 2 178-184, Copyright © 1993 by American Psychosomatic Society

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Psychophysiological responses to exercise in type A/B men

P Hassmen, R Stahl and G Borg
Department of Psychology, University of Stockholm, Sweden.

Previous research concerning physical exercise has yielded mixed results with regard to the possible influence of the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) on ratings of perceived exertion. However, almost all studies have been performed in the confined space of a laboratory. Few have studied the influence of an individual's behavior pattern outdoors in the field where most everyday exercise takes place. Hence, the present study compared three groups of subjects: one group with pronounced TABP, one showing very little TABP, and finally one intermediate group exhibiting an average level of Type A behavior. The results indicate that there are distinct and statistically significant differences between the groups. Type A individuals underestimate their degree of perceived exertion at comparable levels of heart rate. Thus, an individual's behavior pattern ought to be considered when ratings of perceived exertion are used to quantify exercise intensity.