Technological influence on affect and exercise performance among young adults
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2025-05-06
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Physical inactivity remains a global health crisis, with traditional exercise promotion often neglecting affective barriers. This dissertation explores how technology, virtual reality (VR) and digital mindfulness, modulates affective responses to enhance exercise engagement among young adults. Three studies investigated: (1) VR immersion levels (head-mounted display [HMD], flatscreen, control) during rowing, showing HMDs elicited the most dissociative attention and increased enjoyment; (2) a 4-week digital mindfulness intervention improved emotional regulation and exercise tolerance through nonjudgmental awareness; (3) narrative and trainer-led VR exergames elicited comparable sustained positive affect and RPE, underscoring VR’s inherent immersion as a driver of enjoyment. Grounded in Dual-Mode Theory and Affect-Reflective Theory, findings demonstrate VR’s capacity to dissociate attention from discomfort and mindfulness’s role in reframing exertion. Both approaches enhanced affective valence, critical for adherence. Results advocate integrating immersive technologies and digital mindfulness to transform exercise into a potentially enjoyable practice, potentially addressing global inactivity through affective optimization.
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Kinesiology