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Published on: October 17, 2018
It's about Time: Effects of Physical Exertion on Duration Estimates
Britton W Brewer1, Lawrence O Schwartz2, Allen E Cornelius3
1Springfield College, Department of Psychology, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109 USA.
Physical activity can alter time perception, making durations seem shorter. However, high-intensity, unfamiliar exercises may be perceived as longer, influenced by exertion and familiarity.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Science
- Cognitive Psychology
- Perception Studies
Background:
- Understanding how physical activity influences perceived time is crucial.
- Limited research exists on retrospective duration estimates of exercise bouts.
- This study addresses the perception of task duration in college students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of physical tasks on retrospective duration estimates.
- To examine how exercise intensity and task familiarity affect time perception.
- To explore factors influencing the perceived duration of physical activity.
Main Methods:
- 113 college students participated across five experiments.
- Participants estimated durations of physical activity (varying intensity) or rest.
- Familiarity of tasks was manipulated in later experiments.
Main Results:
- Physical activity generally led to shorter duration estimates compared to rest.
- High-intensity, unfamiliar tasks were recalled as longer than low-intensity ones.
- Effect sizes (Cohen's d) for physical activity on duration estimates ranged from 0.40 to 1.60.
Conclusions:
- Perceived exertion and task familiarity significantly influence retrospective duration estimates.
- Findings partially support a contextual-change interpretation of time perception during exercise.
- Exercise can alter subjective time, with intensity and familiarity playing key roles.
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