Academic incentives for students can increase participation in and effectiveness of a physical activity program

Julie Devahl, Richard King, Jon W. Williamson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors sought to determine whether a greater academic incentive would improve the effectiveness and student adherence to a 12-week voluntary exercise program designed to decrease students' percentage of body fat. They randomly assigned 210 students to 1 of 2 groups with different academic reward structures. The group with the greater reward structure showed better exercise adherence and lost more body fat than those without the additional incentive. These findings suggest that an academic incentive can increase overall student adherence to a voluntary exercise program and can boost the effectiveness of the program in a university environment. The findings also have potential implications for on-campus promotion of physical activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)295-298
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume53
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Behavior modification
  • College students
  • Exercise

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Academic incentives for students can increase participation in and effectiveness of a physical activity program'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this