"Less healthy, unfit, weaker" effects of the emerging nonexerciser stereotype on performance on a fatiguing task

Stereotype threat literature has shown that inducing negative stereotypes can contribute to the underperformance of individuals belonging to a range of stereotyped groups and various domains. The present study sought to observe the effect of the emerging nonexerciser stereotype on performance in a fatiguing task consisting of executing intermittent contractions at 40% of maximal voluntary strength until exhaustion. Comparing 13 young male nonexercisers and 13 young male exercisers, results revealed that both exercisers and nonexercisers increased their performance in the negative stereotype condition. Concerning the nonexercisers this is contrary to classic stereotype threat effects. Valuable results were observed for rate of perceived effort as a mechanism through which performance on a fatiguing task may be affected. This study is encouraging as it revealed that nonexercisers' performance on a prolonged fatiguing task was not decreased by the negative nonexerciser stereotype but rather that, to some degree, stereotype threat could be beneficial to performance.