title: Observer effects on the rating of perceived exertion and affect during exercise in recreationally active males.
abstract: This study examined the effect of introducing either a male or female observer on the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and affect of male runners during a moderate intensity running task. 10 moderately active men completed three 20-min. moderate intensity running trials at 60% of their peak treadmill running speed. Each participant completed three trials in random order: control, male-observed, and female-observed, where either the male or female observer joined the trial after 10 min. of the trial had elapsed, during which RPE and affect were monitored. The introduction of a female observer caused a significant decrease in RPE, whereas the introduction of a male observer caused a significant increase in RPE compared to the control trial. Affect was higher in the presence of both a male and female observer compared to control. It was concluded that there is a social, interpersonal, psychological dimension to RPE during exercise.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Northumbria University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winchester
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ansley
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Micklewright
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: St Clair Gibson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015588:Observer Variation; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception