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B.C. psychology student investigating how your circle motivates exercise

Derek LeBaron seeking more participants to help him with his research
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Research assistant Andrew Szilogyi whips up some wind on a stationary air-resistance bike while psychology student Derek LeBaron enters notes on his laptop computer at Vancouver Island University. LeBaron is researching how various forms of social support impact exercise performance. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

A psychology student at Vancouver Island University is looking for subjects to take part in research exploring the effects of relationships on exercise.

Derek LeBaron, a fourth-year psychology student working on his undergraduate honours thesis, is conducting a social support and exercise study to determine how various kinds and qualities of social relationships impact overall exercise performance.

“What’s cool about this study,” LeBaron said, “is people can bring a friend, a partner, loved one, family member, colleague, whoever they choose, to the study and see how social support from that person either increases or decreases exercise performance.

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Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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