Text Messaging as a Tool to Increase Physical Activity in College Students

Authors

  • Laura R. Muñoz University of the Incarnate Word
  • Kevin La France University of the Incarnate Word
  • Daniel Dominguez University of the Incarnate Word
  • Kathleen Goei University of the Incarnate Word
  • Sharon Herbers University of the Incarnate Word
  • M. Danielle Gunter University of the Incarnate Word
  • David Fike University of the Incarnate Word
  • William Carleton University of the Incarnate Word
  • Annette Etnyre University of the Incarnate Word
  • Cynthia Richardson University of the Incarnate Word
  • David Allwein University of the Incarnate Word
  • Maureen Rauschhuber University of the Incarnate Word
  • Gary Norgan University of the Incarnate Word
  • Renée Moore University of the Incarnate Word
  • Lisa Marquise University of the Incarnate Word
  • Mary Elaine Jones University of the Incarnate Word

Keywords:

pedometer, text messaging, college students, physical activity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of text messaging with pedometer intervention for increasing physical activity of college students. Using a two-group prospective randomized intervention-based design, the researchers gave 201 college students pedometers and divided them into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received motivational text messages for 10 weeks; the control group received none. Pre- and post-measures included height, weight, and waist circumference. Daily step counts were collected at three intervals. Total standardized steps were not significantly different between groups. Steps for resident students were higher than for commuter students, suggesting that residents had higher levels of physical activity (p = .003). Text messaging was not effective in increasing physical activity when used with pedometers. 

Author Biographies

Laura R. Muñoz, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions

Associate Professor

Kevin La France, University of the Incarnate Word

H.E.B. School of Business, Associate Professor

Daniel Dominguez, University of the Incarnate Word

H.E.B. School of Business, Associate Professor

Kathleen Goei, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Assistant Professor

Sharon Herbers, University of the Incarnate Word

Dreeben School of Education, Associate Professor

M. Danielle Gunter, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Instructor

David Fike, University of the Incarnate Word

Sr. Reearch Statistician/Research Development

William Carleton, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Professor/Kinesthesiology

Annette Etnyre, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, retired

Cynthia Richardson, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Instructor

David Allwein, University of the Incarnate Word

Health Services, Assistant Director

Maureen Rauschhuber, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Associate Professor

Gary Norgan, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Professor

Renée Moore, University of the Incarnate Word

Campus Life, Dean

Lisa Marquise, University of the Incarnate Word

Dreeben School of Education, Doctoral Student

Mary Elaine Jones, University of the Incarnate Word

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions, Professor/Nursing Dunlap Chair

Published

2014-09-24

Issue

Section

Articles