Training with “virtual” cyber partner when you exercise can significantly boost your motivation to stick to a workout regimen – by as much as 100 percent -- a new study shows.
The research, out of Michigan State University's Department of Kinesiology, found women who participated in cycling exercises with a virtual exercise partner exercised twice as long as those working out alone.
The study, published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine, suggests using a cyber-workout buddy may be particularly helpful for people who lack the motivation to stick with an exercise program to meet the recommended amount and intensity of physical activity.
Past studies have consistently found people who exercise with other people, or as part of a group, are more likely to be motivated to stay with an exercise program. The new study sought to determine whether a "virtually present" partner could have the same effect.
"Being able to more than double one's performance is a substantial gain for those trying to increase their physical activity," said lead researcher Brandon Irwin. "These results are encouraging and suggest the gains we observed over six hour-long sessions could be sustained on a longer-term program of exercise."
For the study, 58 women were recruited to exercise on a stationary bike. They were split into three groups: One group of women exercised on their own next to a virtual person; the second cycled alongside a virtual person and as part of a team; the third group cycled alone.
Overall, researchers found women exercising with a virtual partner performed better and cycled longer than those cycling alone.