HYPNOTIC-SUSCEPTIBILITY AND THE ATTAINMENT OF FLOWLIKE STATES DURING EXERCISE

Hypnotic susceptibility and prior experience were investigated as corr elates of flowlike states during exercise. Heart rate was also examine d as a potential correlate of flow. Circuit trainers (N = 966 complete d a 10-item flow questionnaire and recorded their heart rates as they moved between exercise stations. Results indicated that self-reports o f flowlike states increased from early to late in the exercise session s, but that the magnitude of change was greater for participants high in hypnotic susceptibility than for those low in hypnotic susceptibili ty. Prior experience was also significantly related to flow ratings, w ith participants having more than 6 months of prior experience providi ng higher ratings than those with less than 6 months of prior experien ce. No significant relationship was observed between exercise heart ra te and self-reports of flow. The findings are discussed in relation to the model of flow proposed by Kimiecik and Stein (1991).