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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2014

01-08-2014 | Original Article

The Impact of Incentives on Exercise Behavior: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors: Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D., Omar Galarraga, Ph.D., David M. Williams, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

The effectiveness of reinforcing exercise behavior with material incentives is unclear.

Purpose

This study aims to conduct a systematic review of existing research on material incentives for exercise, organized by incentive strategy.

Methods

Ten studies conducted between January 1965 and June 2013 assessed the impact of incentivizing exercise compared to a non-incentivized control.

Results

There was significant heterogeneity between studies regarding reinforcement procedures and outcomes. Incentives tended to improve behavior during the intervention while findings were mixed regarding sustained behavior after incentives were removed.

Conclusions

The most effective incentive procedure is unclear given the limitations of existing research. The effectiveness of various incentive procedures in promoting initial behavior change and habit formation, as well as the use of sustainable incentive procedures should be explored in future research.
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Metadata
Title
The Impact of Incentives on Exercise Behavior: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors
Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D.
Omar Galarraga, Ph.D.
David M. Williams, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9577-4

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