Efficacy and causal mechanism of an online social media intervention to increase physical activity: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify what features of social media - promotional messaging or peer networks - can increase physical activity.

Method

A 13-week social media-based exercise program was conducted at a large Northeastern university in Philadelphia, PA. In a randomized controlled trial, 217 graduate students from the University were randomized to three conditions: a control condition with a basic online program for enrolling in weekly exercise classes led by instructors of the University for 13 weeks, a media condition that supplemented the basic program with weekly online promotional media messages that encourage physical activity, and a social condition that replaced the media content with an online network of four to six anonymous peers composed of other participants of the p

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4721409 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature