ENCOURAGEMENT DURING MAXIMAL EXERCISE TESTING OF TYPE-A AND TYPE-B SCORERS

The influence of verbal encouragement during assessment of maximal oxy gen consumption of subjects scoring as Type A and Type B on the Jenkin s Activity Survey, Form T was examined. Fourteen Type A and 12 Type B scorers performed two randomly assigned maximal tests on a motor-drive n treadmill with and without verbal encouragement during testing. Trea dmill time, oxygen consumption (VoverdotO(2)), heart rate, and respira tory exchange ratio at exhaustion were examined. Verbal encouragement led to significantly greater treadmill lime, VoverdotO(2) and respirat ory exchange ratio for Type B scorers when compared with the no-encour agement trial. Treadmill time, VoverdotO(2) heart rate, and respirator y exchange ratio at exhaustion were not different between treatments f or the Type A scorers. Type A scorers ran significantly longer without encouragement than Type B scorers; however, when encouragement was pr ovided, treadmill time for Type A and Type B scorers did not differ si gnificantly. The results suggest that attainment of maximal effort is not dependent on verbal encouragement for Type A scorers, whereas verb al encouragement is necessary to assure attainment of maximal physiolo gic effort for those individuals scoring as Type B.