Engineering Online and In-Person Social Networks for Physical Activity: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Background Social networks can influence physical activity, but little is known about how best to engineer online and in-person social networks to increase activity. Purpose To conduct a randomized trial based on the Social Networks for Activity Promotion model to assess the incremental contributions of different procedures for building social networks on objectively-measured outcomes. Methods Physically inactive adults (n = 308, age, 50.3 (SD = 8.3) years, 38.3% male, 83.4% overweight/obese) were randomized to 1 of 3 groups. The Promotion group evaluated the effects of weekly emailed tips emphasizing social network interactions for walking (e.g., encouragement, informational support); the Activity group evaluated the incremental effect of adding an evidence-based online fitness walking intervention to the weekly tips; and the Social Networks group evaluated the additional incremental effect of providing access to an online networking site for walking, and prompting walking/activity across diverse settings. The primary outcome was mean change in accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), assessed at 3 and 9 months from baseline. Results Participants increased their MVPA by 21.0 mins/week, 95% CI [5.9, 36.1], p = .005, at 3 months, and this change was sustained at 9 months, with no between-group differences. Conclusions Although the structure of procedures for targeting social networks varied across intervention groups, the functional effect of these procedures on physical activity was similar. Future research should evaluate if more powerful reinforcers improve the effects of social network interventions. Trial Registration Number NCT01142804

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“…Further, some have found that social support for physical activity is particularly important for those who are not regular exercisers (51). This is likely why others report social support is especially effective for increasing physical activity in inactive, unmotivated adults (49). Another social factor, competition, could involve competing against another to accumulate more steps or activity.…”

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“…Interventions targeting behavioural weight loss (16)(17)(18)(19)(20), healthy diet (21,22) and PA (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28) have increasingly looked to online social media (16,17,(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), commercially available dietary and PA apps (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)27,28), and related wearable electronic PA trackers (18,(20)(21)(22)27,28) to enhance outcomes by promoting social support (16,17,19,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) and self-monitoring of diet and PA (17)(18)(19)(20)…”