Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Aerobic exercise is promoted when individual performance affects the group: a test of the Kohler motivation gain
Brandon C Irwin1, Jennifer Scorniaenchi, Norbert L Kerr
1Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, USA. irwinbra@msu.edu
Background:
A key barrier to achieving recommended intensity and duration of physical activity is motivation.
Purpose:
We investigated whether a virtually present partner would influence participants' motivation (duration) during aerobic exercise.
Method:
Fifty-eight females (M(age) = 20.54 ± 1.86) were randomly assigned to either a coactive condition (exercising alongside another person, independently), a conjunctive condition (performance determined by whichever partner stops exercising first) where they exercised with a superior partner, or to an individual condition. Participants exercised on a stationary bike at 65 % of heart rate reserve on six separate days.
Results:
Across sessions, conjunctive condition participants exercised significantly longer (M = 21.89 min, SD = ±10.08 min) than those in coactive (M = 19.77 min, SD = ± 9.00 min) and individual (M = 10.6 min, SD = ±5.84 min) conditions (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Exercising with a virtually present partner can improve performance on an aerobic exercise task across multiple sessions.
Related Concept Videos
Social Loafing
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Social Facilitation
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
