title: Use of an open-loop system to increase physical activity.
abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an open-loop system that reinforces physical activity with TV watching to increase children's physical activity. Nonoverweight, sedentary boys and girls (8-12 y) were randomized to a group that received feedback of activity counts + reinforcement for physical activity by providing access to television (F+R, n = 20); or to feedback, no reinforcement (Feedback, n = 20) or no feedback, no reinforcement control (Control, n = 21) groups. Children wore an accelerometer with a count display for 4-months with a 1-year follow-up. F+R reduced TV by 68 min/day and TV time was lower than the Feedback (p < .005) and Control (p < .002) groups. TV time of F+R remained 31 min lower (p < .02) than baseline at 1-year. F+R had a 44% increase in physical activity, which was greater than the feedback (p < .04) and control (p < .01) groups. An open-loop system decreases TV viewing and increases physical activity of children for 4-months. TV of the F+R group remained lower at 12 months, suggesting a reduction in screen-time habits.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Roemmich
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lobarinas
authors.forename: Jacob E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Barkley
authors.forename: Tressa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paluch
authors.forename: Leonard H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013690:Television