Is My Exercise Partner Similar Enough? Partner Characteristics as a Moderator of the Köhler Effect in Exergames

Abstract

Objective: Recent research has shown the Kö hler motivation gain effect (working at a task with a more capable partner where one's performance is indispensable to the group) leads to greater effort in partnered exercise videogame play. The purpose of this article was to examine potential moderators of the Kö hler effect by exploring dissimilarities in one's partner's appearance, namely, having an older partner (compared with a sameage partner) and having a heavier-weight partner (compared with a same-weight partner). Subjects and Methods: One hundred fifty-three male and female college students completed a series of plank exercises using the ''EyeToy: KineticÔ'' for the PlayStation Ò 2 (Sony, Tokyo, Japan). Participants first completed the exercises individually and, after a rest, completed the same exercises with a virtually present partner. Exercise persistence, subjective effort, self-efficacy beliefs, enjoyment, and intentions to exercise were recorded and analyzed. Results: A significant Kö hler motivation gain was observed in all partner conditions (compared with individual controls) such that participants with a partner held the plank exercises longer (P < 0.001) and reported higher subjective effort (P < 0.01). These results were unmoderated by partner's age and weight, with one exception: Males tended to persist longer when paired with an obese partner (P = 0.08). Conclusions: These results suggest that differences in age and weight do not attenuate the Kö hler effect in exergames and may even strengthen it.

Is silence really golden? Effect of encouragement from a partner or trainer on active video game play

“…Consistent with several previous studies, participants exercising with a silent and more capable virtually present partnerwhere task outcome was contingent on the performance of the weaker participantpersisted for significantly longer than participants working alone (Feltz et al, 2011;Forlenza et al, 2012;Irwin et al, 2012Irwin et al, , 2013Kerr et al, 2013). Consistent with several previous studies, participants exercising with a silent and more capable virtually present partnerwhere task outcome was contingent on the performance of the weaker participantpersisted for significantly longer than participants working alone (Feltz et al, 2011;Forlenza et al, 2012;Irwin et al, 2012Irwin et al, , 2013Kerr et al, 2013).…”

“…This approach has generally produced the same pattern of results as using the Block 1 scores as a covariate in the analysis of Block 2 scores in previous research (Forlenza et al, 2012;Kerr, Forlenza, Irwin, & Feltz, 2013); that was also the case here. In order to control for individual differences in strength and fitness, the primary dependent variable used was the difference score between both blocks (Block 2−Block 1), to show any changes in persistence.…”

“…A new line of research has demonstrated the utility of harnessing the Köhler effect to increase motivation in AVGs and explored how the effect is moderated by task and features of a virtually presented partner (Feltz et al, 2011;Forlenza, Kerr, Irwin, & Feltz, 2012;Irwin et al, 2012). This research has shown that exercising with a moderately superior, virtually present partner has led to a robust improvement in effort in a series of abdominal plank exercises (where the participant holds a position such as a facedown push-up with the forearms and toes touching the floor), compared to exercising alone.…”

Introductory dialogue and the Köhler Effect in software-generated workout partners

“…The third hypothesis concerning ancillary measures was supported, consistent with prior research (Feltz et al, 2011; Kerr et al, 2013; Feltz et al, 2012; Forlenza et al, 2012). Interestingly, even though participants with an SGP performed as the “weak link” in the dyad, beliefs in their ability, exertion, and enjoyment of the game did not suffer compared to the control group.…”

“…Additionally, there was no evidence that working with SGPs harmed enjoyment or increased perceived exertion (Feltz et al, 2014), consistent with most prior findings in this area (Feltz et al, 2011; Feltz, Irwin, & Kerr, 2012; Forlenza, Kerr, Irwin, & Feltz, 2012; Kerr et al, 2013). While a promising start, the Feltz et al (2014) study has been the only one to explore the Köhler effect in exergames with SGPs thus far.…”