Psy/Orf 322: Human – Machine Interaction
Final Project Description
Title of Final Project: Human – Workout Machine Interaction in Dillon Gym
My name: Katy Milkman (working alone)
The faculty member(s) who should serve as my advisor(s) and reader(s) of my project:
Professor Cooper and Professor Kornhauser
Project Description:
This project will use data collected by administering a survey (see attached) in
Dillon Gym to analyze various aspects of human – workout machine interaction. The
project will attempt to answer several major questions about the way that people interact
with workout machines: (1) Do members of different gender, age and intellectual groups
differ in the way they use the computer features of workout machines and in their
feelings about these features? (2) Do people using different types of machines
(specifically bikes and treadmills) differ in the way they use the computer features of
their workout machines and in their feelings about these features? (3) Do people use
different functions of workout machines depending on their reasons for exercising (e.g.
fun vs. weight control) or depending on their preference for exercising outside or in a
gym setting? And finally, (4) Do members of different gender, age and intellectual
groups differ in their use of portable audio devices and in their perceived added value of
having televisions in the gym?
It is anticipated that women will use fewer computer features of workout
machines than men, that older people will use fewer computer features than younger
people, and that those who identify themselves as individuals in the social sciences and
humanities will use fewer computer features than people who identify themselves as in
the fields of math, science and engineering. The groups that are expected to use fewer
computer features of workout machines are also expected to like having computers on
their workout machines less than others, to make less use of portable audio devices while
at the gym, and to perceive less added value in having televisions at the gym. It is also
anticipated that people using different types of workout machines will differ in the way
they use the computer features of their machines and in their feelings about these
features, although how they will differ is not clear. Finally, it is expected that people will
use different functions of machines depending on their reasons for exercising and their
preferences for exercising in a gym setting versus outdoors, although it is again difficult
to predict exactly what kinds of differences will be uncovered.
SEE NEXT PAGE FOR PROPOSED SURVEY.
Survey for Workout Machine Users
Circle
Gender: M
F
Age Group:
under 25 25 – 39 40 – 55 over 55
Time of Workout:
Morning Afternoon
Evening
(1) Which machine did you use for your workout today?
(A) Bike
(B) Stairmaster
(2) How did the computer on your machine contribute to your workout satisfaction?
1
2
3
4
5
6
definitely
detracted
7
definitely
added
(3) What features of the computer on your machine did you take advantage of today?
(A) Timer
(B) Calorie Counter
(C) Distance Tracker
(D) Resistance (E) Computer-Generated Workout Routine
(F) None
(G) Other:_________________________________
(4) Would you ever choose to use one machine over another because of the computer features offered
by the machine?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
definitely
definitely
no
yes
If you are attracted to machines by computers:
What features would be deterrents:____________________________________
What features would be attractors:_____________________________________
(5) How does the presence of other people on the machines near you affect your workout
satisfaction?
(A) Others Nearby Detract from Workout
(B) Others Nearby Have No Effect on Workout
(C) Others Nearby Improve Workout
(6) How does having televisions in the gym contribute to your workout satisfaction?
1
2
3
4
5
6
definitely
detracted
7
definitely
added
(7) Do you prefer to exercise in a gym setting with automated equipment or outdoors without the use
of machines?
(A) Gym
(B) Outside
(8) Why did you use a workout machine today?
(A) Fun
(B) Weight Loss (C) Weight Control
(D) Training for Athletic Event
(E) Other:______________
(9) Did you listen to music on a portable audio device during your workout today?
(A) Yes
(B) No
(10) Which best characterizes the field you are in?
(A) Engineering (B) Science
(D) Social Science
(E) Humanities
(C) Math