Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Assessing Pupil-linked Changes in Locus Coeruleus-mediated Arousal Elicited by Trigeminal Stimulation
Published on: November 26, 2019
Effect of colored lenses on muscular performance
J Fisher1, D D'amario, C Small
1Centre for Health Exercise and Sport Science Southampton Solent University, Southampton, UK - james.fisher@solent.ac.uk.
Aim:
The effect of color on physiological parameters appears well documented. However, methodological weaknesses and limitations to practical application suggest it to be substantially under researched with regard to physical performance. The aim of this study was to consider the effects of red, blue and clear (control) colored lens glasses on a muscular endurance task.
Methods:
Fifteen healthy males (21±1.34 years) were instructed to perform repetitions to failure using their predetermined 25 repetition maximum (RM) on a seated leg press. Participants completed three randomised trials exposed to blue, red and clear lenses.
Results:
A repeated measure ANOVA identified a significant difference in the amount of repetitions performed between the three conditions. A pairwise comparison revealed significantly greater repetitions for the blue lens condition compared to clear lenses (P=0.008). From the data an effect size (ES) of 0.76 was calculated for blue lensed glasses. The red lens condition showed no significant variation from clear lenses in repetitions performed.
Conclusion:
The findings of this research suggest that exposure to the color blue improves performance of a muscular endurance based task. Such a simple and inexpensive performance enhancement warrants further investigation to explore different exercise modalities as well as effects of different colored lenses, and the mechanisms as to how color affects performance.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Color Vision
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Muscles of the Eye
Extraocular Muscles
The six extraocular muscles surround the eyeball and control its movements. They are responsible for a wide range of eye motions, including looking up, down, left, right, and...
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

