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

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

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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Acknowledgments

No external funding was received by the author group for this review.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport Studies, The University of Tennessee, 1914 Andy Holt Ave., 322 HPER Bldg, Knoxville, TN, 37996-2700, USA

    Kelley Strohacker Ph.D.

  2. Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA

    Omar Galarraga Ph.D.

  3. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA

    David M. Williams Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Kelley Strohacker Ph.D.
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  2. Omar Galarraga Ph.D.
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  3. David M. Williams Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kelley Strohacker Ph.D..

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Strohacker, K., Galarraga, O. & Williams, D.M. The Impact of Incentives on Exercise Behavior: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. ann. behav. med. 48, 92–99 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9577-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9577-4

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