Predicting the effect of interactive video bikes on exercise adherence: An efficacy trial

Abstract

Exercise games that employ video game technology are increasing in the marketplace but have received scant research attention despite their popularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of videobike gaming on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and adherence in comparison to a cycling condition where participants listen to self-selected music. Participants were 29 inactive young men assigned randomly to experimental (n = 16) or comparison (n = 13) conditions. The recommended training regime consisted of moderate intensity activity (60–75% heart rate reserve), 3 days/week for 30 min/day for 6 weeks. At the end of the first session, participants were asked to complete TPB measures and these were subsequently measured 6 weeks later. Attendance was used as the measure of adherence. Results showed that affective attitude and adherence across the 6 weeks significantly favored the videobike condition over the comparison condition. Regression analyses suggested partial mediation of the effect of the videobike condition on adherence via affective attitude. This is the first study to provide evidence that interactive videobikes may improve adherence over traditional cycling because the activity produces higher affective attitudes. The results are promising for expanding to community-based evaluation.

Keywords:

• theory of planned behavior
• virtual reality
• college students

Acknowledgements

RER and DER are supported by New Investigator awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. DER is also supported by a clinical scholar award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. RER is also supported by funds from the Canadian Diabetes Association, Social Sciences, and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Human Early Learning Partnership (British Columbia Ministry of Family). The authors report no conflict of interest for this article.