Effects of music, television, and a combination entertainment system on distraction, exercise adherence, and physical output in adults

Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, Jul 2001 by James J Annesi

Because the extant research points to the apparent benefits of the use of distraction for maximizing physical outputs and adherence to exercise, it was the purpose here to directly evaluate select treatments within exercise settings for their effects, over time. Considering that the use of headphones (for music) and wall-mounted televisions were in common use within fitness facilities, and personal entertainment systems (which include cable television with a large number of channels for selection) were beginning to become more available, it was judged relevant to assess their relative effects on distraction, adherence to exercise programs, and physical outputs. Based upon shortcomings of previous research, associated distraction (the minimization of an internal attentional focus and discomfort) was objectively assessed, rather than simply assumed to be present. Additionally, the personal trait of self-motivation was accounted for. The study was conducted in a field setting (a large fitness centre) to maximize external validity and the findings' possible impact on exercise promotion and preventive medicine practices.

METHOD

Participants

Fifty-six new members of a large private fitness centre were recruited for this study. Member service staff, after determining that a client met the criteria for inclusion, asked each about his/her interest in participating in a "paid program testing feelings associated with a new exercise program." Criteria for inclusion were that the individual's age must be between 21 and 60 years, he/she must be healthy (as judged through a standard health risk self-report, and blood pressure and resting heart rate measurements), and no regular exercise program had been undertaken in the last two years.

After minimal attrition before the actual investigation began (due primarily to an inability to make telephone contact to present study directions), participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The age range was 22 to 56 years (m = 32.0 years; SD = 8.3). The Music group (n = 11) consisted of three men and eight women. The Television group (n = 12) consisted of five men and seven women. The Combined Entertainment group (n = 13) consisted of four men and nine women. The Control group (n = 14) consisted of six men and eight women. No significant age difference was found between the four groups. Male/female proportions were similar.

Apparatus

Three different types of entertainment modalities, for use while exercising on the cardiovascular machines available, were used. The Music group was provided an AM/FM stereo cassette player (Model 1129, Lenoxx Sound). It was a 8.4 cm x 11.7 cm unit in which a wired lightweight headset was attached. It enabled the user to either listen to radio or play audio tapes. The Television group viewed a 54.6 cm x 40.6 cm television (Model 25F-S100, Sharp) positioned between 1.5 m to 6.1 rn from their exercise equipment. A 7.6 cm x 12.7 cm AM/FM radio with a wired lightweight headset (Model PR-35M, Street Beat) was used to access sound. Participants selected exercise equipment that was positioned behind a television with one of four set channel selections. One was always set to sport coverage, and one was set to news. The other two channels varied in programming types. Channels could not be changed by participants. The Combined Entertainment group used a multimedia entertainment "tower" (Model E900, E-Zone Networks). It enabled each group participant to view a personal 11.4 cm x 8.9 cm television that was attached to his/her exercise equipment (approximately 45 cm away). Sixty-two channels, changeable at any time, were available during exercise. This group also had access to AM/FM radio through wireless lightweight headsets (Model SHP-9000, E-Zone Networks) with enhanced audio clarity that also provided sound for the television. Just below the personal television unit was equipment for compact disk (audio) and audio tape use.