A game with financial incentives could help veterans exercise more

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-07-10 01:00

International

Arek Adeoye

Turning exercise goals into a game could be improved by adding a financial incentive, according to international research. The study aimed to improve the step count of US veterans classified as overweight or obese by giving 180 participants a wearable device to track their steps and splitting them into three groups. The first group simply used their device to try meet step goals, the second participated in a 12-week game with points and levels, and the third participated in the game but were also given $120 in a virtual account, with $10 taken away each week goals were not met. The second and third group increased their activity significantly more than the first group, the researchers say, with the third group increasing their steps the most. However, the study found the participants did not continue their heightened activity when the program was over.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of Pennsylvania, USA

Funder: This study was funded by a Career Development Award (HX-001922-01) and a Veterans Affairs VISN 4 Competitive Pilot Project Fund Grant to Dr Patel. DrWaddellwas supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs Advanced Fellowship Program in Health Services Research and Development.

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