Influence of Reward and Social Support on Exercise Adherence in Aerobic Dance Classes

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Abstract
Two independent studies were conducted to explore the effects of reward and social support on adherence to exercise during a university semester. Subjects from aerobic dance classes self-selected one of three groups. Group 1 worked individually for rewards of clothing based on the class attendance, Group 2 chose three-person groups to work for rewards, and Group 3 received no reward or social support. In Study 2, Group 2 was made up of two-person groups. Analysis of variance of both sets of data showed a significant difference in class attendance among groups ( p < .01). Scheffé post hoc comparisons indicated that Groups 1 and 2 in both studies showed significantly better attendance than Group 3; however, the average attendance of Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly. Apparently, use of rewards, independently or in combination with social support, improves exercise adherence.

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