Why Competition Works Better Than Companionship for Exercise
Yes, we’ve all heard that it’s a good idea to get an exercise buddy. But now the research is backing up this idea. It’s not just about companionship, they are finding, but about rivalry.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recruited 800 graduate and professional students to be part of an 11 week exercise program. The program included weekly exercise classes, fitness mentoring and nutrition advice.
Those who attended the most classes were given prizes. What the participants didn’t know, however, was that the researchers had actually split the group into four. They were being tested on individual competition, team competition, team support and a control.
What motivated this group this most? Competition. The attendance rates were 90% higher in this group than they were in the control group. As co-author Damon Centola explained, “Supportive groups can backfire because they draw attention to members who are less active, which can create a downward spiral of participation. Competitive groups frame relationships in terms of goal-setting by the most active members. These relationships help to motivate exercise because they give people higher expectations for their own levels of performance.”
The results were published in the journal Preventative Medicine Reports.