Small Monetary Incentives to Promote Exercise (Exercise4Good; EX4G)

The investigators propose to conduct a pilot study to test feasibility and proof-of-concept
for two incentive programs to promote exercise among low-active overweight and obese adults.
To address weaknesses in the literature, the programs will be (a) conducted in a community
setting by the Greater Providence YMCAs and (b) financially sustainable, such that they do
not require removal of the incentives after a specified period of time. In both incentive
programs, participants will pay the standard monthly YMCA membership fee. In the Rebate
incentive program, participants will have the opportunity to earn a small monetary incentive
to exercise for each day that they attend the YMCA (verified by objective swipe-card data),
with a maximum of 5 exercise sessions being incentivized per week. In the Donation incentive
program, participants will have the opportunity to earn a small monetary incentive to
exercise in the form of donations (using the same incentive schedule) to a registered local
charity of the participant's choice. Thus, the proposed study will compare three experimental
conditions: (a) Rebate incentives (n=25); (b) Donation incentives (n=25); and (c) Control
(i.e., no incentives) (n=25). The Primary Aims are to test (1) feasibility of the two
incentive programs, (2) feasibility of the research methods to evaluate the preliminary
efficacy of the two incentive programs, and (3) proof-of-concept for the two incentive
programs (relative to control), through comparison of average number of sessions/week with
incentives over one year. Secondary outcomes will be self-reported minutes per week of
exercise over one year. The proposed research will provide a preliminary investigation into
two community-based, financially sustainable incentive programs to promote exercise for
adults who are at increased risk for cancer. Positive findings from such a trial would
provide a fast-track for a community-based ready-to-implement exercise promotion
intervention. Additionally, such findings would have significant implications for the use of
financially sustainable incentive programs for exercise through other community organizations
(e.g., privately-owned health clubs), healthcare organizations, or employers (e.g., employer
fitness facilities), as well as providing a model for incentive programs for other
health-related behaviors (e.g., smoking cessation, weight loss).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Inactive adults with an active YMCA membership

- Currently physically able to exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

- Do not plan to reside in the geographical region for the next 12 months

- Family member currently participating in the study

- Currently engaging in >150 mins of moderate/vigorous physical activity per week

- Attended the YMCA more than 4 times per month in the last 6 months