Self-Selected Intensity and Adherence in a Campus Recreation Center with Novice, Female Weight Lifters: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract

In response to reports of lower resistance exercise participation in college-aged women, the present, preliminary investigation sought to examine the popular recommendation that self-selected intensity can have a positive impact on resistance exercise adherence. Fifty-three novice female weight lifters were asked to complete three sessions per week for six weeks in a campus recreation center. Results support previous research that novice or untrained individuals do not appear to self-select an intensity that meets common resistance training guidelines for strength and/or hypertrophic gains, although only slightly missing this mark. No differences were found in self-selection between weight or instruction types. Unlike previous anecdotal suggestions, self-selected intensity was not related to adherence; the average attendance was approximately seven sessions. Attrition was linear, and by week six, 95% of all participants had dropped out. In conclusion, despite popular thought, the present results do not support the concept that allowing students to choose their own intensity, alone, will enhance adherence to resistance exercise. Collegiate recreational staff and administrators can use these findings for novel ideas and directed efforts to enhance resistance exercise efforts in women.