Effect of Peer Influence on Exercise Behavior and Enjoyment in Recreational Runners

Abstract

Fitness professionals and popular media sources often recommend exercising with a partner to increase exercise motivation, adherence, intensity, and/or duration. Although competition with peers has been shown to enhance maximal athletic performance, experimental research examining the impact of peer influence on submaximal exercise behavior in adults is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the presence of familiar and unfamiliar peers, vs. running alone, on recreational runners' voluntary running duration, distance, intensity, liking (i.e., enjoyment), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs). Recreational runners (n = 12 males, n = 12 females) completed 3 experimental trials, each under a different social condition, in a randomized order. Each trial consisted of self-paced running for a duration voluntarily determined by the participant. The 3 social conditions were running alone, with a sex- and fitness-matched familiar peer, or with a sex- and fitness-matched unfamiliar peer. A wrist-worn global positioning system was used to record running duration, distance, and average speed. Liking and RPE were assessed at the end of each trial. Mixed model regression analysis showed no significant effects of social condition (p ≥ 0.40) for any of the dependent variables. The presence of a familiar or unfamiliar peer did not alter recreational runners' running behavior, liking, or perceived exertion during submaximal exercise. However, exercising with others may have other benefits (e.g., reduced attrition) not examined herein.

Greater Effect of East versus West Travel on Jet Lag, Sleep, and Team Sport Performance

“…*Significant main effect for travel direction (p˂0.05); † Significant interaction between travel direction and interaction between travel direction, day and time of day (p˂0.05). 1 EAST significantly different to WEST (p˂0.05); 2 Significantly different to (p˂0.05); 4 Significantly different to all other days (p˂0.05); 5 Significantly different to day 2 and 3 (p˂0.05); 7 Significantly different to (p˂0.05); 8 Significantly different to day 1 (p˂0.05). a Large ES for EAST different to WEST (d˃0.90); b Large ES for difference to c Large ES for difference to all other days (d˃0.90); d Large ES for difference to day 1 and 2 (d˃0.90); e Large ES for difference to Large ES for difference to day 2 and 3 (d˃0.90).…”

“…Data presented as mean ± SD and range (minimum -maximum). Significant main effect for travel direction (p˂0.05); † Significant interaction between travel direction and 1 EAST significantly different to WEST (p˂0.05); 2 EAST significantly different to BASE & WEST (p˂0.05); different to all other days (p˂0.05);4 Significantly different to day of arrival (p˂0.05);5 Significantly different to (p˂0.05). a Large ES for EAST different to WEST (d˃0.90); b Large ES for EAST and WEST different to BASE ( c Large ES for WEST different to BASE; d Large ES for difference to all other time points (d˃0.90).…”

Presence of Spotters Improves Bench Press Performance: A Deception Study

“…In diabetic patients prescribed resistance exercise, the presence of additional individuals in the exercise environment has been shown to be facilitative (34). Conversely, in other type of exercise, such as individual endurance activities, the use of social situation effects has been shown to have no influence on self-determined running duration, speed or post exercise ratings of exertion (RPE), during recreational running (11). Interestingly however, when a competitor is present during time trial cycling, performance improvements have been observed, as a result of external attentional focus mediated reductions in perceptions of effort (39).…”

Touching the Finish Line: Predictors of Motivation Among Long Distance Elite Runners (Exploring Sports Psychology)

“…As described by Carnes (2014), showing recognition to the runners benefits them to achieve the desired goals or behavior is called "Social support". The influence of social support helps in influencing the devotion to exercise, exercise intentions, the effectiveness of exercise, and the behavior concerning exercise (Carnes, 2014).…”

“…As described by Carnes (2014), showing recognition to the runners benefits them to achieve the desired goals or behavior is called "Social support". The influence of social support helps in influencing the devotion to exercise, exercise intentions, the effectiveness of exercise, and the behavior concerning exercise (Carnes, 2014). Therefore, it is considered useful to interact with other people to help explore the effect of it during training sessions, as well as in their enjoyment of other exercises, and to increase the motivation of an athlete during exercise (Carnes, 2014).…”