Physical activity after commitment lotteries: examining long-term results in a cluster randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Economics
• Health Interventions
• Physical Activity Promotion

Background:

• Self-control challenges often hinder health goal attainment.
• Commitment strategies, like lotteries with consequences, can enhance adherence.
• Previous research demonstrated a 26-week intervention's effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the 52-week maintenance of goal attainment after a commitment lottery intervention.
• To assess long-term weight development in overweight adults.
• To compare the efficacy of different commitment lottery structures on physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A 52-week, three-arm randomized trial involving overweight adults across six company gyms.
• Intervention arms included weekly short-term lotteries and a combination of short-term and long-term lotteries.
• A control arm received no lottery-based deadlines.

Main Results:

• Goal attainment declined post-intervention in the long-term lottery arm but remained above the control group.
• No significant difference in goal attainment was observed between the short-term lottery arm and the control arm.
• Weight loss was modest and consistent across all arms during the initial 13 weeks, with subsequent stability.

Conclusions:

• Commitment lotteries show potential for supporting regular gym attendance up to 52 weeks.
• Higher levels of long-term goal maintenance and weight loss require further investigation.
• Behavioral economic principles can be applied to design effective health interventions.