@article{BrandEkkekakis2017,
  author    = {Brand, Ralf and Ekkekakis, Panteleimon},
  title     = {Affective-Reflective Theory of physical inactivity and exercise},
  series = {German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research},
  volume    = {48},
  journal   = {German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {2509-3142},
  doi       = {10.1007/s12662-017-0477-9},
  pages     = {48 -- 58},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {This article introduces a new theory, the Affective-Reflective Theory (ART) of physical inactivity and exercise. ART aims to explain and predict behavior in situations in which people either remain in a state of physical inactivity or initiate action (exercise). It is a dual-process model and assumes that exercise-related stimuli trigger automatic associations and a resulting automatic affective valuation of exercise (type-1 process). The automatic affective valuation forms the basis for the reflective evaluation (type-2 process), which can follow if self-control resources are available. The automatic affective valuation is connected with an action impulse, whereas the reflective evaluation can result in action plans. The two processes, in constant interaction, direct the individual towards or away from changing behavior. The ART of physical inactivity and exercise predicts that, when there is an affective-reflective discrepancy and self-control resources are low, behavior is more likely to be governed by the affective type-1 process. This introductory article explains the underlying concepts and main theoretical roots from which the ART of physical inactivity and exercise was developed (field theory, affective responses to exercise, automatic evaluation, evaluation-behavior link, dual-process theorizing). We also summarize the empirical tests that have been conducted to refine the theory in its present form.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{EkkekakisBrand2019,
  author    = {Ekkekakis, Panteleimon and Brand, Ralf},
  title     = {Affective responses to and automatic affective valuations of physical activity},
  series = {Psychology of sport and exercise},
  volume    = {42},
  journal   = {Psychology of sport and exercise},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1469-0292},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.12.018},
  pages     = {130 -- 137},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Objective: To critically review developments over the first fifty years of research (1967-2017) on (a) how people feel when they participate in exercise and physical activity, and (b) the implications of these responses for their willingness to become and remain active. Design: Non-systematic narrative review. Method: Representative sources were selected through a combination of computer searches and cross-referencing. Results: For over three decades, exercise psychology exhibited a fixation on the idea that exercise and physical activity make people feel better. This notion, however, seemed to contrast with evidence that most adults in industrialized countries exhibit low levels of activity. In the last two decades, a critical examination and overhaul of the methodological platform resulted in the delineation of a dose-response pattern that encompasses positive as well as negative affective responses, and revealed marked interindividual differences. An emerging literature is aimed at refining and testing integrative dual-process models that can offer specific predictions about the behaviors that may result from the interaction of automatic processes (theorized to be heavily influenced by past affective experiences) and deliberative processes (such as cognitive appraisals). Conclusions: Affective responses to exercise and physical activity are more complex than the long-popularized "feel-better" effect, encompassing both pleasant and unpleasant experiences and exhibiting marked inter individual variation. The potential of affective experiences to influence subsequent behavior offers an opportunity for an expanded theoretical perspective in exercise psychology.},
  language  = {en}
}