Community-based social support for physical activity
Program basics
- Combines physical activity opportunities and social support to build, strengthen, and maintain social networks that encourage positive behavior changes
- Can include education, group or individual counseling, or plans tailored to individual needs
- Examples include walking groups, exercise buddy systems, making contracts, setting goals, or planning physical activities with others
Strength of evidence
Evidence level: Proven (highest tier)
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Proven (highest tier)
Ranked as having the highest level of evidence by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps
Target population
Community-wide
Program cost
Not available
Implementation locations
- Nationwide
Dates active
Not available
Outcomes and impact
- Increased physical activity and physical fitness among adults
- Provides physical health benefits such as reduced cardiovascular risk, weight loss, diabetes, and general functioning
- Provides mental health benefits such as reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms
Keys to successful implementation
- Note: This content is under review
- Programs that encourage social support, especially by including family members and friends, are more likely to foster participation
- Partnerships with local groups such as recreational centers, community centers, and religious organizations can enhance the social support component of the program and can also improve participant recruitment and retention
- Partnerships with physical health practitioners such as fitness instructors and physiotherapists can facilitate collaboration on program design and increase trust in the program
- Barriers to participation can include lack of apparel such as shoes and workout clothing, especially in low-income communities, and time constraints for working mothers and other similar groups