Peloton as a Positive Intervention: Using Values, Character Strengths, Language, and Agency to Promote Sustained Engagment

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Graduate group
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Peloton
character strengths
PERMA
values
virtues
self-awareness
self-regulation
self-determination
self-efficacy
mindfulness
intention
agency
physical activity
positive intervention
language
engagement
movement
positive psychology
Health and Physical Education
Health Communication
Health Psychology
Leisure Studies
Other Mental and Social Health
Recreation Business
Sports Sciences
Sports Studies
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Abstract

In a world full of options of exercise platforms and modalities for individuals to choose from, what entices people to stick with a particular program? The exercise platform itself? The language the instructors use to motivate participants? Or is it the ability of a participant to choose from a menu of activities that keeps them engaged? To shed light on this topic, we analyzed physical activity as a positive intervention, using Peloton as an exemplar. Our capstone is divided into three parts. In Part I, we introduce positive psychology and the concept of positive interventions as a pathway to well-being and explain how Peloton is a positive intervention. In Part II, we examine the constructs of values, virtues, character strengths, agency, and their relationship to sustained engagement on the path to wellness. Pulling from the work of Lavy and Benish-Wiseman, we explore how character strengths are a pathway from values to positive social outcomes such as sustained engagement with an exercise platform. In Part III, we bring the concepts of Part I and Part II together and make three key observations: (1) Physical activity, with Peloton as an exemplar, is an undervalued yet effective positive intervention that deserves more research and application (2) Language portraying someone’s values and strengths is a powerful tool in facilitating positive alignment in relationships (3) Empowering someone, a Peloton rider for example, with agency to determine how, when and with whom they align is an important part of voluntary sustained engagement.

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2021-08-01
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