The impact of cell phone texting on the amount of time spent exercising at different intensities

•Cell phone texting during treadmill exercise was examined.•Texting during exercise increases the time spent exercising at a low intensity.•No cell phone during exercise increases participation in high intensity exercise.•Altered exercise intensities may have important implications on health and fitness.

This study assessed the effect of cell phone texting during a 30-min bout of treadmill exercise on the amount of time spent exercising at different intensities. Thirty-two college students participated in two conditions (cell phone and control). During the cell phone condition participants could use their cell phone only for texting purposes. During the control condition participants did not have access to their cell phone nor any interaction with other individuals or electronics. Heart rate was measured continuously and was used to determine how much time was spent exercising at different intensities. Vigorous intensity minutes was significantly greater (p = 0.001) in the control condition (12.94 ± 8.76 min) than the cell phone condition (7.09 ± 8.38 min). Low intensity minutes was significantly greater (p = 0.001) in the cell phone condition (9.47 ± 9.73) than the control condition (3.44 ± 6.52). Moderate intensity minutes in the cell phone (13.44 ± 8.43) and control (13.69 ± 8.13) conditions were not significantly (p = 0.89) different. In conclusion, using a cell phone for texting can interfere with treadmill exercise by promoting greater participation in low intensity exercise and less participation in vigorous intensity exercise due to a possible dual-tasking effect.