Effects of Virtual Interactive Cycling on Perceived Duration and Exercise Enjoyment in Sedentary Adults

Kyle W. Reason^{1, 2,} , Lauren G. Killen², T. Scott Lyons², Jean Ann Helm Allen² and J. Matt Green²

¹Department of Kinesiology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States

²Department of Kinesiology, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama, United States

Cite this paper:
Kyle W. Reason, Lauren G. Killen, T. Scott Lyons, Jean Ann Helm Allen and J. Matt Green. Effects of Virtual Interactive Cycling on Perceived Duration and Exercise Enjoyment in Sedentary Adults. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2026; 11(1):44-51. doi: 10.12691/jpar-11-1-6

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a virtually led Spin class on perceived duration and exercise enjoyment. METHODS: Twenty-four sedentary adults (27.6 ± 9.9 ml×kg^-1×min^-1) completed a VO₂ peak test, a 30-min virtual Spin class via a fitness application (PA), and a matched workload cycling class without visual or audio interaction (NA). Heart rate (bpm) and VO₂ (ml×kg^-1×min^-1) were recorded each min while blood lactate (mmol×dL^-1), and acute differential RPE overall (RPE-O), legs (RPE-L), and breathing (RPE-B) were recorded every 5-min. Additionally, exercise enjoyment via the PACES questionnaire, session RPE (SRPE) and perceived duration (min) were assessed 15-min post exercise. RESULTS: Intensity differences between trials were negligible. No significant differences in perceived duration were observed between trials (PA 30.6 ± 15.0; NA 33.0 ± 9.6; p = 0.153) despite significantly higher levels of enjoyment (PA 2.48 ± 1.33; NA 3.42 ± 1.42; p = 0.02) and lower SRPE (PA 5.8 ± 1.5; NA 6.5 ± 18; p = 0.008) for the PA trial. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the inclusion of a virtual Spin class may elicit increases in exercise adherence for sedentary individuals due to the higher levels of enjoyment observed with the visual and audio interaction.

Keywords:
Peloton Spin Time perception Velotron Scalar Expectancy Theory

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