Impact of verbal encourager’s sex on exercise performance during an incremental load test

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of verbal encourager sex (male vs. female) on exercise performance and physiological responses in healthy males during a maximal incremental ramp exercise test. A randomized, single-blind, crossover controlled design was employed. Forty-five healthy males completed two identical incremental ramp cycle ergometer tests (20 W·min −1 ) to exhaustion, separated by one week, under standardized verbal encouragement from either a male or a female encourager. Performance measures (time to exhaustion, pedaling cadence) and key physiological variables, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak), minute ventilation (V̇E, BTPS), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and total energy expenditure (EE), were recorded. Paired-sample t-tests were used for comparison. Compared to the male encourager condition, the female encourager condition resulted in a significantly longer time to exhaustion (751 ± 177 s vs. 708 ± 150 s; p = .013) and higher pedaling cadence (72 ± 8 vs. 66 ± 5 rpm; p < .001). Concurrently, significant increases were observed in VO 2 peak (44 ± 8 vs. 39 ± 7 mL·kg −1 ·min −1 ; p < .001), V̇E (130.1 ± 26.4 vs. 106.8 ± 24.7 L·min −1 ; p < .001), RER (1.28 ± 0.08 vs. 1.22 ± 0.10; p = .001), and EE (320 ± 55 vs. 284 ± 55 kcal; p < .001). Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranged from medium to large. During a maximal incremental ramp test, a female verbal encourager significantly enhanced exercise performance and elicited stronger cardiometabolic responses in male participants. Encourager sex is thus a relevant socio-psychological moderator for exhaustive exercise outcomes. Sex-targeted verbal encouragement strategies may optimize performance in male-specific fitness assessments or high-intensity training. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2600119275; date of registration: February 25, 2026. Retrospectively registered.