Research shows that negative or threatening emotional stimuli can foster movement velocity and force. However, less is known about how evaluative threat may influence movement parameters in endurance exercise. Based on social self-preservation theory, the authors predicted that evaluative threat would facilitate effort expenditure in physical exercise. In an exploratory study, 27 young men completed a bogus intelligence test and received either low-intelligence-quotient feedback (evaluative threat) or no feedback (control). Next, they were asked to pedal on a stationary bicycle for 30 min at a constant cadence. After 10 min (calibration period), the cadence display was hidden. Findings show that participants under evaluative threat increased cadence more than control participants during the subsequent 20-min critical period. These findings underline the potential importance of unrelated evaluative threat on physical performance.

研究表明，负面或威胁性的情绪刺激可以促进运动速度和力量。然而，人们对评价性威胁如何影响耐力运动中的运动参数知之甚少。基于社会自我保护理论，作者预测评价性威胁将促进体育锻炼中的努力支出。在一项探索性研究中，27 名年轻人完成了一项虚假的智力测试，并收到了低智商反馈（评估性威胁）或没有反馈（控制）。接下来，他们被要求以恒定的节奏骑固定自行车 30 分钟。10 分钟（校准期）后，节奏显示被隐藏。研究结果表明，在接下来的 20 分钟关键时期，受到评估性威胁的参与者比对照参与者增加了更多的步频。这些发现强调了不相关的评估威胁对身体表现的潜在重要性。