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. 2020 Mar;46(3):485-496.
doi: 10.1177/0146167219861438. Epub 2019 Jul 19.

Keeping the Goal in Sight: Testing the Influence of Narrowed Visual Attention on Physical Activity

Emily Balcetis  1 , Matthew T Riccio  1 , Dustin T Duncan  1 , Shana Cole  2
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Keeping the Goal in Sight: Testing the Influence of Narrowed Visual Attention on Physical Activity

Emily Balcetis et al. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Rates of physical inactivity continue to rise in the United States. With this work, we tested the efficacy of a strategy affecting the scope of visual attention designed to promote walking as a form of exercise. Specifically, we examined the influence of narrowed attention on the frequency (Studies 1a, 1b, and 3) and efficiency (Studies 2 and 4) of physical activity in general (Studies 1 and 2) and within exercise bouts measured across multiple days (Studies 3 and 4). We provide convergent evidence by investigating both individual differences in (Studies 1 and 2) and experimentally manipulated patterns of visual attention orienting (Studies 3 and 4). We discuss implications of attentional strategies for self-regulation and fitness.

Keywords: exercise; goals; scope; self-regulation; visual attention.

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