Phase 1 intervention investigates how conventional behavior boosting approaches promote physical activities and reduce sedentary behaviors. The team integrates principles of behavior change (e.g., social cognitive theory, theory of planned behavior, and operant conditioning) and persuasion (e.g., models of user engagement in online interventions) to develop strategies to increase physical activities.

In each strategy, 60 participants with diverse physical and socioeconomic conditions participant in the strategy.  Each week, participants will receive text messages to remind their exercises. The participants will complete an activity and walking diary weekly during the intervention. The actual amount of exercise completed is at the discretion of each individual participant.

Participants will receive the forms by mail and can submit their activity log by mail (we will provide the stamps as for mail). The forms will be available online and participants can download the form. They can also submit the form by emailing the researchers. Any of the listed ways that participants find convenient may be used.  

Resources for Phase 1

Activity Log (Download here)

Counting App

For counting steps, distance and speed research team will suggest either of the following two free apps:

Pacer: It has a 4.9 rating in the App store. Pacer pedometer is an activity tracker, step counter, and more all in one app. Even though the free version works as a pedometer;

Google fit: This is one of the best step counter apps for Android because it was developed directly by Google in a collaboration with the American Heart Association. It tracks more than just steps: it monitors an individual’s physical activity and lets that individual set fitness goals by working with the other health apps that they may have on their phone.

Duration: 8 weeks