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Contingency Management to Induce Exercise Among College Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2013

Jessica G. Irons ,
Derek A. Pope ,
Allyson E. Pierce ,
Ryan A. Van Patten  and
Brantley P. Jarvis
Jessica G. Irons*
Affiliation:
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
Derek A. Pope
Affiliation:
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
Allyson E. Pierce
Affiliation:
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Ryan A. Van Patten
Affiliation:
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
Brantley P. Jarvis
Affiliation:
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Jessica G. Irons, MSC 7704 Department of Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, USA. Email: ironsjg@jmu.edu
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Abstract

Objective: The effects of contingency management to induce physical activity levels were examined in seven non-obese physically inactive undergraduate students by providing monetary payments using a multiple baseline, changing-criterion procedure. Methods: Participants attended a baseline phase, a subsequent intervention phase consisting of three exercise sessions per week for 4 weeks, and a follow-up session 2 weeks post intervention. A total of $145 was available for attendance and exercise contingency payments. Results: Results indicate that all participants significantly increased exercise during intervention from inactivity at baseline to exercising three 30-minute sessions per week. Participants maintained some gains during follow-up. Limitations: The study employed a small and homogenous sample size and required participants to exercise in a lab setting thus limiting external validity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that incentive-based interventions are an effective and viable means for inducing exercise.

Keywords

contingency managementphysical activityexercisehealth risk interventioncollege studentsobesity
Type
Standard Papers
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 30 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 84 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

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