A new study in Brain and Behaviour reveals a neural and experiential reason why intense workouts can drag on. Researchers found that during demanding exercise, people tend to overestimate elapsed time by about 10 percent. The effect, described as a “time warp,” is linked to the heightened focus on bodily signals like pain and fatigue. This insight has implications for both personal training and how fitness programs are designed to keep people engaged.
For Thais who pursue fitness trends from HIIT sessions to weekend rides around Lumpini Park, the finding resonates with everyday gym life. The study’s lead author, Professor Andrew Edwards of Canterbury Christ Church University, and his team tested 33 healthy, active adults in 4-kilometer cycling trials. Each session varied in intensity and included conditions such as cycling solo, with a virtual avatar, or against a virtual opponent.
Across all conditions, participants estimated a 30-second interval while cycling. Intense effort consistently made time feel longer, with a roughly 10 percent overestimation. Edwards explained that the distortion arises because people focus more on internal bodily cues during strenuous activity, which slows their perceived passage of time and can influence pacing and enjoyment.
Notably, competition or distraction did not significantly alter the effect. The core drivers were physical and psychological intensity rather than whether the exercise was solo or competitive. Additional observations from Edwards’ follow-up work suggest that enjoyment and engagement can counterbalance the warp somewhat: athletes often report that time passes more quickly during skill-based drills than during monotonous treadmill work or video analyses.
The concept aligns with a broader understanding that high exertion heightens body awareness, which can stretch the sense of time. Related research shows that intense workouts increase not only fatigue but perceived effort and pain. For Thai readers, these findings offer a practical lens on why some workouts feel endless and how coaches can help people stick with routines.
Thai trainers and educators can apply this knowledge by designing more engaging sessions that reduce monotony. Introducing varied activities, music, group workouts, or culturally resonant formats—like park aerobics or Muay Thai-inspired drills—may help counteract the time warp and improve adherence. In schools, rotating activities and incorporating playful competition can keep students motivated and reduce the sense of endurance fatigue.
Practical takeaway for personal training in Thailand: when a workout feels twice as long, it’s partly the brain’s doing. To sustain motivation, experiment with enjoyable elements such as upbeat music, changing routines, or group formats. Emphasizing enjoyment alongside health benefits may make hard workouts feel more approachable and sustainable.
Data from this line of research supports a broader public health message: mixing challenge with enjoyment helps people maintain activity levels. As Thai health and fitness initiatives expand, incorporating engaging, culturally resonant activities could improve long-term adherence and overall well-being.