Effects of Music, Video, and 360-Degree Video on Cycle Ergometer Exercise at the Ventilatory Threshold

Despite the seemingly
ubiquitous presence of audiovisual stimuli in modern exercise facilities, there
is a dearth of research examining the effects of audiovisual stimuli in
combination during exercise. Accordingly, we examined the influence of a range of audiovisual
stimuli on the improvement of affective, perceptual, and enjoyment responses to
cycle ergometer exercise at the ventilatory threshold (VT); an intensity that
is associated with the most affect-related interindividual variability. A within-subjects design was employed and participants (N = 18) completed a 25-min protocol that
consisted of 2 min of seated rest, 5 min warm-up, 10 min exercise at VT, 5 min
cooldown, and 3 min of seated rest. Participants exercised at VT under music,
video, music-video, 360-degree video, 360-degree video with music, and control
conditions. The results revealed a condition × time interaction for perceived
activation and a main effect of condition for state attention and perceived
enjoyment. The 360-degree video with music condition elicited the most positive
affective valence, greatest perceived activation, most dissociative thoughts,
and highest ratings of perceived enjoyment. The present findings indicate that
audiovisual stimuli can influence affective, perceptual, and enjoyment responses
to cycle ergometer exercise at the VT. Given the emerging support pertaining to a positive relationship
between affective responses and exercise adherence, audiovisual stimuli, such
as 360-degree video with music, should be considered as a means by which to
promote an enjoyable exercise experience.