The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme

Queen's University, Belfast406 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using incentives to encourage adults to be physically active.

The investigators developed the Physical Activity Loyalty Card (PAL) Scheme which integrates a novel physical activity tracking system with web-based monitoring and nudge initiatives. The tracking system used Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology and a "loyalty card" (PAL Card) which contained a passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Sensors were placed along footpaths in the outdoor environment, in the gym and exercise studio, and participants scanned their PAL card at the sensor when doing physical activity (e.g. walking). A transaction (card ID, sensor ID, and timestamp) was recorded and sent via SMS to a secure data centre. Participants logged onto a personal account on the study website (www.palcard.co.uk) and received real-time feedback on various aspects of their physical activity including minutes, distance and calories expended.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

406

Conditions

Health Behavior Physical Activity

Interventions

Non-cash incentivesBEHAVIORAL

Participants used their PAL card to self-monitor physical activity levels (intrinsic motivation) and minutes of physical activity were converted to points (1 minute of PA = 1 point; capped at 30 points per day) over the 12-week intervention period. Points were redeemed for rewards (extrinsic motivation) at week 6 and week 12.

Self-monitoring physical activity levelsBEHAVIORAL

For those in the 'No Incentive' arm, participants used their PAL card to self-monitor their physical activity levels but did not collect points or earn rewards.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * males and females * aged 18-65 years old * able to complete 15 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity * based at least 4 days per week (and 6 hours per day) at worksite Exclusion Criteria: * advised by General Practitioner not to participate in exercise

Locations (1)

Queen's University Belfast

Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Physical activity

change in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ); MVPA using an objective physical activity measure (physical activity tracking system)