ArticleFrontiers in psychology2026
How do virtual exercise technology and social presence influence motivation to exercise?
Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
Introduction: Virtual technology offers a promising tool for encouraging engagement in exercise, as it can provide the user with enhanced visual stimuli and accessible metrics; however, the specific features within that technology that contribute to motivation and participation require further investigation. This study examined how different visual displays and the presence of a second rider influenced motivation to exercise using virtual technology. Methods: Twenty-four young adults completed a 3-km cycling course on the same virtual track under three counterbalanced conditions including (a) a metrics-only ride, where a screen in front of the rider displayed only standard performance variables (e.g., power, cadence), (b) a solo-virtual ride, which was identical to the previous condition, but with the addition of the participant being depicted on the screen as an avatar amongst virtual scenery, and (c) a paired-virtual ride, that contained the same elements as the previous two conditions, but with the addition of a second rider represented on the screen as an avatar. Results: The quantitative results, which included performance-related variables (cadence, power, speed, and heart rate), measures of intrinsic motivation, and ratings of perceived exertion, revealed significantly higher values for the paired-virtual condition compared to both the metrics-only and the solo-virtual conditions. Differences between the metrics-only and the solo-virtual conditions were isolated to interest-enjoyment and effort-importance. Brief interviews with participants indicated that the paired-virtual condition produced heightened levels of enjoyment and competitive drive which motivated participants to exert more effort. The solo-virtual condition was reported to be relaxing, but it was also reported as the least engaging. The metrics-only condition provoked negative emotions due to the absence of distractions and a heightened focus on internal cues. Discussion: The results highlight the psychological mechanisms that influence motivation and engagement when using virtual exercise technology.
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