THE EFFECT OF RUNNING WITH AN UNFAMILIAR PEER IS GENDER SPECIFIC

Carnes, A., & Barkley, J. E. (2014). Gender differences in the effect of peer influence on outdoor running in recreational runners. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), Supplement abstract number 1735.

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This study determined if, relative to an alone condition, running with an unfamiliar training partner affected average running speed, enjoyment, or perceived exertion during a self-paced outdoor run in male (N = 8) and female (N = 8) runners. Ss completed running trials on separate days under two different social conditions; running alone and with a single unfamiliar peer matched for gender and fitness. The order of conditions was randomized. Running trials consisted of a self-paced 6.4-km run on a measured outdoor trail. The primary dependent variables were elapsed time of the run, average speed, enjoyment of the run (assessed via visual analog scale), and ratings of perceived exertion.

A mixed model regression analysis revealed a significant condition by gender interaction for elapsed time and average speed. Females ran significantly slower in the peer condition than when alone. Males increased average running speed in the peer condition relative to the alone condition. There was no significant increase in enjoyment in either condition. There were no main or interaction effects for ratings of perceived exertion.

Implication. The presence of an unfamiliar peer, relative to an alone condition, had a differential effect on voluntary running speed in men and women. Women ran significantly slower, while men ran faster in the presence of an unfamiliar peer of the same sex.

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