title: Social facilitation in virtual reality-enhanced exercise: competitiveness moderates exercise effort of older adults.
abstract: This study examined the effect of virtual social facilitation and competitiveness on exercise effort in exergaming older adults. Fourteen exergaming older adults participated. Competitiveness was assessed prior to the start of exercise. Participants were trained to ride a "cybercycle;" a virtual reality-enhanced stationary bike with interactive competition. After establishing a cybercycling baseline, competitive avatars were introduced. Pedaling effort (watts) was assessed. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant group (high vs low competitiveness) × time (pre- to post-avatar) interaction (F[1,12] = 13.1, P = 0.003). Virtual social facilitation increased exercise effort among more competitive exercisers. Exercise programs that match competitiveness may maximize exercise effort.
authors.affiliation: Healthy Aging and Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA. andersoc@union.edu
authors.forename: Cay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson-Hanley
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nimon
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Arciero
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012932:Social Facilitation; D014584:User-Computer Interface
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