Science reveals why time in your gym runs slower than outside world

Ever wondered that time is running rather slowly when you are exercising at your local gym? Well, as your body gets going on an exercise trail, the minutes start feeling longer than usual, and science has it confirmed this time.

The authors of a new study published in the Brain and Behavior journal claim that they are the first to "conclusively demonstrate that the perception of time slows down during exercise".

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The findings fall in line with previous studies which have found that exercise slows our perception of time.

Why our perception of time differs when we exercise?

This is because, physical exertion makes our body extra conscious of its discomfort. The sensations of pain are known to slow the passage of time, as we perceive it.

How the study was conducted?

A team of scientists led by Andrew Mark Edwards from ​​Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK conducted experiments involving 33 male and female active adults who were asked to guess when a 30-second time period was up, without the help of a clock.

At rest, participants thought 30 seconds was up slightly later than the actual ticking clock.

But when participants hopped on a stationary bike for a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) time trial, the perception of time got distorted. Half a minute on the bike felt roughly 8 per cent longer, on average, than what the clock said.

What does it mean?

According to Edwards "it is exercise per se that significantly distorts time perception" and not the intensity of exercise.

"Although the current study provides novel and impactful insights, more work has to be done to further unravel the role of external stimuli, exercise intensity, and duration on the perception of time during exercise," they conclude.

(With inputs from agencies)