The Köhler Motivation Gain Effect With Exercise Tasks: A Meta-Analysis

in Kinesiology Review

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Stephen Samendinger Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0890-4322 *
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Christopher R. Hill California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3121-7723
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Soyeon Ahn University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2581-306X
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Deborah L. Feltz Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1191-4863
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2022-0047
Keywords:
conjunctive tasks; health-related exercise; performance gains; group dynamics
First Published Online:
25 Mar 2023
In Print:
Volume 12: Issue 3
Page Range:
187–200
Restricted access

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the Köhler motivation effect in partnered dyads (conjunctive task structure) during exercise. This preregistered meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included 19 (total sample size N = 1,912) primary, peer-reviewed research articles that have reported the effectiveness of the Köhler effect paradigm (with a no-partner control condition) in exercise tasks on the outcome variable of intensity or persistence of effort. The overall motivation gain effect was statistically significant, g¯ppc=0.91 (SE = 0.12), suggesting a significantly higher performance gain in conjunctive partnered exercise groups compared with individual exercise. The large effect was moderated by the performance-dependent variable (persistence and intensity), mean participant age, and exercise partner type (human and software generated). There appears to be strong support for the Köhler motivation gain paradigm as a potential to help individuals improve their effort in exercise settings.

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