Academic incentives for students can increase participation in and effectiveness of a physical activity program.
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.
DeVahl
Julie
J
Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
King
Richard
R
Williamson
Jon W
JW
D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D012201:Reward; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss