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Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

First Advisor

Dr. Haley Harwell

Second Advisor

Dr. Don Forsyth

Third Advisor

Dr. Laura Knouse

Abstract

With the climbing rates of obesity in our country, it is crucial for the health of every individual to be maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, students experience heightened levels of stress when entering college which can lead to an increase of unhealthy habits or decrease of exercise. A major part of our health is associated with physical fitness. This study investigates the influence that monetary incentives, role modeling nudges, and message reminders can have on the gym attendance of undergraduate students at the University of Richmond. Participants completed an initial survey and were randomly split into one of three groups and their gym attendance was analyzed across a three week experimental period (N = 98). Message reminder and role modeling nudges were sent an email reminder twice a week to attend the gym and the monetary incentive group was paid per gym visit. At the end of the experimental period, all subjects were sent a post experimental survey to complete to conclude their participation. A 2x3 one-way ANOVA test was conducted to examine the relationship between each group on gym attendance. Results suggested a significant increase in gym attendance in all three treatment groups but demonstrated a non significant interaction. Researchers are skeptical of whether this increase in attendance can be attributed to the intervention due to the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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