Physical Activity
Conditions
Keywords
physical activity, exercise, walking, pedometers, goal setting, text messages, motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, self determination theory, prompts
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to assess whether text messages can be used as a way to increase the amount of physical activity teens get each day.
Detailed description
This research will develop an innovative intervention that promotes physical activity to 14-17 year olds (roughly high school aged youth). It is guided by Self Determination Theory and seeks to enhance adolescents' feelings of physical activity autonomy, competence, and relatedness, key psychological needs related to motivation to be physically active. The physical activity to be promoted is walking, which has broad appeal and can be performed as part of usual-day activities. Since youth are heavy users of cell phones and texting, the intervention will send theoretically-grounded text messages designed to enhance physical activity.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTXT Me
text messages, physical activity, self determination theory, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, pedometers, walking, prompts
Sponsors
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Baylor College of Medicine
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 14-17 years old * access to a computer with high speed internet access * home email address * cell phone that can send/receive text messages * text message plan * fluent in English
Exclusion criteria
* mental or physical limitations that impair ability to fully participate in the program and/or complete baseline and post assessment data collection.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| physical activity | 3 months | physical activity will be assessed for 7 days at each data collection period; accelerometers will be used to assess physical activity amount and intensity |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological need satisfaction in exercise | 3 months | This scale will be used to assess psychological needs related to exercise - autonomy, relatedness, and competence |
| Behavioral Regulation in Exercise | 3 months | This scale will be used to assess motivation for exercise |
| Satisfaction | 3 months | Satisfaction with the study will be assessed using standard questions |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed