The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between message framing and behavioral expectancy in maintenance stage runners. Further, correlational analyses were computed to examine the relationship between level of motivation and Locus of Control (LOC). Motivation and LOC were measured before the participant was presented with positively, negatively, or neutrally framed messages (based on random assignment). Participants then answered a level of behavioral expectancy (i.e., how likely or unlikely they are to engage in this behavior) and an explanation of cognitive evaluation in the form of a qualitative question (why the provided message was persuasive or not). This stage was operationalized as running for at least one year, competing in at least one race per year, and running at least one mile per week. The sample consisted of mTurk (Amazon’s Mechanical Turk) users. Results indicated that the neutral message framing condition was significantly different in terms of behavioral expectancy from that of both the positive and negative message framing conditions. The positive and negative message framing conditions, however, did not result in significant differences in behavioral expectancy. Finally, while Locus of Control and levels of motivation are positively correlated in the literature, there was no significant correlation between these variables in this study. Conclusions from this research can be used to inform future health campaigns directed towards those already engaging in physical activity. Furthermore, results can be used to inform future research on message framing in non-active populations.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of excess CO₂ (ExCO₂) as a determinant of the anaerobic threshold (AT) and the subsequent relationship to blood lactate (La). Four highly trained marathon runners (x values, age=30.6 years; % body fat= 8.2; VO₂max = 6 8 ml-kg⁻¹min⁻¹) volunteered to participate in this study. Metabolic and respiratory exchange variables were assessed by an open circuit method utilizing a Beckman metabolic measurement cart interfaced on-line with a Hewlitt Packard 3052A data acquisition system. VO₂max and the treadmill velocity at the threshold of anaerobic metabolism (V[sub=tam]) were obtained from a progressive, treadmill run (.81 kph. > min.) until volitional fatigue. V[sub=tam] (Kilometers per hour, Kph) was calculated from the point of .a non-linear increase in ExCO₂. Subjects performed set treadmill runs of 10 minutes on alternate days. Variations (latin square) included runs at V[sub=tam], V[sub=tam+1], [sub=tam+2], and [sub=tam-1]. Analysis of variance with preplanned orthogonal comparisons and Scheffe post hoc contrasts were used to determine the effects of the treadmill variations on La and ExCO₂. There was no significance found between V[sub=tam] and V[sub=tam-1] for La or ExCO₂. Significance (p < .05) was evident with V[sub=tam]< [sub=tam+1, V[sub=tam]< [sub=tam+2] for La and V[sub=tam]< [sub=tam+2] for ExCO₂. An overall correlation of .89 (p <. 005) demonstrated a high positive relationship between ExCO₂ and La. Findings indicate V[sub=tam] to be a critical point in determining the anaerobic threshold in marathoners, and performance above this demarcation results in a state of anaerobiosis. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate