VIDEO-ASSISTED CYCLING ALTERS PERCEPTION OF EFFORT AND INCREASES SELF-SELECTED EXERCISE INTENSITY

Two studies were conducted to assess whether indoor video-assisted cyc ling influenced a person's quality of exercise (subjectively and quant itatively), compared to indoor cycling alone. In the first study 12 re creationally active subjects completed an initial test of VO(2)max, an d three randomized trials of cycling at 70% VO(2)max (35 min.) watchin g a commercial cycling tape (cycle video), a test pattern displayed on the ergometer screen (blank video), or no video. Subjects' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and Affect were recorded, and heart rate and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured during testing. The second stu dy required 12 different subjects first to complete an assessment of V O(2)max and then two randomized trials (cycle video and no video) on a cycle ergometer where they freely set the intensity of their own exer cise. Measurements of VO2, heart rate, blood lactate, power output, RP E, and Affect were recorded during testing. Results of Exp. 1 indicate d that subjects' perceived effort equally between the two conditions, yet reported significantly (p < .05) higher affect at 25 and 35 min, o f cycling during the cycle video condition than no video condition. Re sults of Exp. 2 indicated that despite similar levels of blood lactate , subjects exercised at a significantly higher intensity during the cy cle video condition compared to no video condition, with a higher VO2 and heart rate. The data support the use of indoor exercise videos to improve the exercise experience and also to increase the physiological demands of indoor exercise.