Examining the Effects of Text Message and Competition-Based Interventions on Physical Activity, Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation, Social Support, Incentive Motivation, and Mental Well-being Among University Students

Physical activity promotes health and wellness, yet many U.S. university students are physically inactive. Text messaging and competition-based interventions have been shown to increase physical activity. The primary objectives of this study are to 1) assess and compare the effectiveness of a competition-based intervention with and without a Social Cognitive Theory-based text-messaging campaign in improving physical activity among university students, and 2) evaluate participants' acceptability and experiences of the text messaging and the competition-based interventions. In coordination with the Deans' Fit Family Challenge (DFFC; an annual physical activity and weight loss competition between Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Auburn Campus (VCOM-Auburn), Auburn University College of Nursing (AUCON), and Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy(HCOP), a 3-group quasi-experimental design will be employed to accomplish the study objectives. A total of 300 students will be enrolled. Students across all 3 institutions who sign up for the DFFC and enroll in this study will be randomly assigned to a competition-only group or a competition + text messaging group. The 3rd group will include students across all 3 institutions who enroll in the study but are not participating in the DFFC.

Participants will submit physical activity minutes via the "Challenge Runner" app, after initially connecting the app to their fitness tracker. All participants will be asked to complete the first anonymous survey at the beginning of the study, as well as the second anonymous survey at the conclusion of the study. Variables of interest include weekly activity minutes, self-efficacy, self-regulation, social support, incentive motivation, mental well-being, participants' acceptability and experiences, and maintenance of moderate and vigorous activity 4 weeks after DFFC. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the sample and inferential statistics to analyze associations.