Keeping the Goal in Sight: Testing the Influence of Narrowed Visual Attention on Physical Activity

Abstract

Rates of physical inactivity continue to rise in the United States. With this work, we tested the efficacy of a strategy affecting the scope of visual attention designed to promote walking as a form of exercise. Specifically, we examined the influence of narrowed attention on the frequency (Studies 1a, 1b, and 3) and efficiency (Studies 2 and 4) of physical activity in general (Studies 1 and 2) and within exercise bouts measured across multiple days (Studies 3 and 4). We provide convergent evidence by investigating both individual differences in (Studies 1 and 2) and experimentally manipulated patterns of visual attention orienting (Studies 3 and 4). We discuss implications of attentional strategies for self-regulation and fitness.

Neighbourhood walkability and mental health in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis from EpiFloripa Aging Study

“…In a causal relationship, the literature suggests that people with high levels of physical activity substantially reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment ( Blondell et al, 2014 ). Likewise, high levels of walkability can increase physical activity by up to 57% by providing environments with a diversity of options and access to businesses and services in the neighbourhood, parks with adequate structures for use, regular and well-maintained sidewalks, and well-connected streets (Reis et al, 2013; Balcetis et al, 2020 ). Thus, statistical models interpreted in isolation may establish that genuine relationships between variables are to be discarded ( Mc Shane et al, 2019 ; Wasserstein et al, 2019 ).…”

How Walkable Neighborhoods Promote Physical Activity: Policy Implications for Development and Renewal

“…Moreover, eye-catching environments improve the intensity of physical activity (Balcetis et al, 2020). We told survey respondents about two different styles they might use when they exercise.…”

“…Among a primarily Black sample of New York residents living in low-income housing developments, those who reported that their neighborhoods contained more visually interesting things that caught their attention were more physically active than those who believed their neighborhoods contained fewer interesting things (Balcetis et al, 2020). This was true among residents in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston, and other New York City neighborhoods as well.…”

“…Instead, the visual features of neighborhoods promote activity, rather than physical activity being the means by which neighborhood size increases and as a result exposure to interesting visual features increases. We gathered information from global positioning system tracking units which residents of New York City low-income housing wore on their body for 1 week (Balcetis et al, 2020 Study 1a). These data provided insights into the square area they traversed on foot each day.…”

“…We found that individuals who narrowed rather than widened their attentional focus walked 23% faster and reported it required 17% less exertion despite the distance they walked being held constant (Cole et al, 2014). Moreover, New York City residents who implemented this narrowed attention strategy when exercising outside on their own for the week and who tracked their activity on a smart phone app went out for .75 more walks in the next 5 days purely for the sake of exercise (Balcetis et al, 2020). Individuals also went 60% farther on each walk and took about 85% more steps per walk because they moved faster than individuals who simply attended naturally.…”