Nicole Swank is a graduate assistant from Dallas, Texas. She is pursuing a master's in sport and fitness administration.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - According to several new studies, the type of television
program you watch during a workout can affect the overall benefits of that workout,
The Huffington Post reported.
Winthrop University's Nicole Swank wants to put that to the test.
For her thesis, Swank, a sport and fitness administration master's candidate, will examine "The Effect of Music and T.V. Viewing During Aerobic Exercise." She recently finished gathering data from 30 test subjects and will now interpret
the data.
Swank has had a front-row seat to all kinds of exercise and workouts. As a graduate
assistant in the West Center, Swank has personally trained patrons and taught group fitness classes, all of which
sparked her interest in the topic.
"These days, everyone always seems to be watching something or listening to music
in the gym," she said. "No one really stops to ˜smell the roses.'"
Determining that there wasn't much insight into how music and television (including
YouTube videos and Netflix) affected an overall workout, it seemed like a perfect
fit. Thanks to prior research, Swank learned that external stimuli typically block
pain receptors and provide a distraction, which would allow exercisers to feel like
they're working out harder than they actually are. She also hypothesized that when
reflecting on their workout, people would indicate that they most enjoyed one accompanied
with music first, then television.
To collect her data, Swank observed her test subjects for three workouts on either
the elliptical machine or treadmill. Subjects had to stick with the same cardio machine
for all three workouts and start at the same speed each time. For 30 minutes, Swank
monitored her subjects' RPE (rate of perceived exertion), MET (metabolic equivalents),
WATT (power) and heart rate. Several points throughout the workout, she also asked
them to rate how hard they felt they were working out according to the Borg scale,
with 6 being no exertion and 20 being max exertion.
As she pores over her data, Swank hopes her eventual results will be published in
physical education outlets and used by exercisers to improve their workout.
"It can be used by a lot of people, especially when they can understand it and apply
it to themselves," she said. "I see a very real-world application here."
Swank came to Winthrop two years ago after earning a bachelor's degree in psychology
from the University of Arkansas. However, the Dallas native found her niche in campus
recreation. When she saw an advertisement for a graduate assistant job at Winthrop,
she jumped at the chance, moving 16 hours away from her hometown.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctorate.
Want to talk with Swank about her new research? Contact Nicole Chisari, communications
coordinator, via e-mail or 803/323-2236.
