@article {10.3844/jssp.2010.50.54,
article_type = {journal},
title = {Effects of Perceived Fitness Level of Exercise Partner on Intensity of Exertion},
author = {Plante, Thomas G. and Madden, Meghan and Mann, Sonia and Lee, Grace and Hardesty, Allison and Gable, Nick and Terry, Allison and Kaplow, Greg},
volume = {6},
year = {2010},
month = {Mar},
pages = {50-54},
doi = {10.3844/jssp.2010.50.54},
url = {https://thescipub.com/abstract/jssp.2010.50.54},
abstract = {Problem statement: Social comparison theory was used to examine if exercising with a research confederate posing as either high fit or low fit would increase the exertion in exercising. Approach: 91 college students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Biking alone, biking with a high fit confederate, or biking with a low fit confederate. All participants were instructed to complete 20 min of exercise at 60-70% of their maximum target heart rate. Results: Results indicated that participants in the high fit condition exercised harder than those in the low fit condition. However, no mood differences emerged between conditions. Conclusion: Social comparison theory predicts exercise outcome such that participants gravitate towards the behavior (high fit or low fit) of those around them.},
journal = {Journal of Social Sciences},
publisher = {Science Publications}
}