Combined incentives versus no-incentive exercise programs on objectively measured physical activity and health-related variables

•A worksite exercise program improved body composition and push-ups•A worksite exercise program revealed participants engaged in recommended physical activity•Combined reinforcements did not improve health-related variables or physical activity

Incentivized exercise program interventions have recently led to mixed findings with regard to increasing physical activity, attendance, and improving healthy lifestyles. However, in this area limited research exists on implementing a combined negative reinforcement strategy, using a “buy-in” and positive reinforcement system.PurposeTo determine the effect of comparing a non-incentivized reward system with an incentivized reward system using combined positive and negative rewards on physical activity, attendance, and health and performance outcomes.Methods15 Previously sedentary faculty and staff of a large public research university participated in two separate 12-week exercise interventions and wore a program accelerometer throughout the entire day during the 12 weeks. During the first intervention, there were no incentives offered to participants. The second intervention consisted of an incentivized program. Positive reinforcements included various rewards for meeting achievements related to physical activity levels. A program rebate worth $25 for achieving 450 miles was used as the negative reinforcement “buy-in” incentive.ResultsA two-way repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated a main effect of time for percent body fat (p < 0.001) and push-ups (p = 0.018). All other variables revealed no differences between conditions or from pre to post testing. There was no difference between conditions with physical activity or attendance.ConclusionNo differences in physical activity or health-related variables were found within the incentivized and non-incentivized conditions.