The Efficacy of a Walking Intervention Using Social Media to Increase Physical Activity: A Randomized Trial. J Phys Act Health 2015 Jun 16;12 Suppl 1:S18-25
Date
01/20/2015Pubmed ID
25599378DOI
10.1123/jpah.2014-0279Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84955075948 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 51 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Facebook may be a useful tool to provide a social support group to encourage increases in physical activity. This study examines the efficacy of a Facebook social support group to increase steps/day in young women.
METHODS: Female college freshmen (N = 63) were randomized to one of two 8-week interventions: a Facebook Social Support Group (n = 32) or a Standard Walking Intervention (n = 31). Participants in both groups received weekly step goals and tracked steps/day with a pedometer. Women in the Facebook Social Support Group were also enrolled in a Facebook group and asked to post information about their steps/day and provide feedback to one another.
RESULTS: Women in both intervention arms significantly increased steps/day pre- to postintervention (F(8,425) = 94.43, P < .001). However, women in the Facebook Social Support Group increased steps/day significantly more (F(1,138) = 11.34, P < .001) than women in the Standard Walking Intervention, going from 5295 to 12,472 steps/day.
CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the potential effectiveness of using Facebook to offer a social support group to increase physical activity in young women. Women in the Facebook Social Support Group increased walking by approximately 1.5 miles/day more than women in the Standard Walking Intervention which, if maintained, could have a profound impact on their future health.
Author List
Rote AE, Klos LA, Brondino MJ, Harley AE, Swartz AMAuthor
Amy Harley PhD Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ActigraphyAdolescent
Adult
Female
Humans
Social Media
Social Networking
Social Support
Universities
Walking