ABSTRACT
This chapter starts with the elucidation of the difference between ‘deprivation feelings’ and ‘withdrawal symptoms.’ The two may sound like identical concepts and are analogous in the literature, but we think they are not. Therefore, we highlight the differences between them. We then overview the psychophysiological responses to exercise deprivation and reflect on how the intensity of these responses varies with the level of commitment or involvement in exercise behavior. We also raise the question of whether exercise performed for health promotion or management could trigger greater deprivation feelings than exercise performed for some mastery reasons. The issues of control over adherence to exercise deprivation intervention and the characteristics of participants who volunteer for this type of research are also elaborated briefly. Finally, we look at the differences between experiencing exercise deprivation in committed and addicted exercisers.
