Why Token Economies Have Success When Improving Exercise Behaviors

Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity. 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2016. . In this article, Mayo Clinic gives short examples of how exercise in general can be beneficial to a person.

According to Matson and Boisjoli (2009), token economies have been commonly used to support the improvement of target behaviors such as attention seeking and task avoidance behaviors. Token

I began the baseline measurements on a Wednesday, timing and recording the length each time I exercised for 14 days. I graphed the results, and determined the average length of each session. With this information, and professional guidelines, I set my goal to a minimum 30mins per session, and at least 3 sessions per week. I determined the goal was realistic, based on the baseline results, and my exercise history. I then implemented the program for a further 14 days, using reinforcers. When I achieved my daily goal, I allowed myself time to play my computer game; and when I achieved my weekly goal, I went out with my friends on the weekend. On the days I didn’t achieve my goals, I did not allow myself to play the computer, or go out with friends.

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about how exercise controls weight, combats health conditions and diseases, and improves mood.

he content of this article discussed real world benefits moderate exercises such as. It sugessted a rather practical advice on how to achieve the most benefit from your moderate intensity activities is, finding the balance between your workouts, that way they are challenging enough to keep you progressing fitness-wise, but not so overly strenuous that they cause harm. Part of finding this balance lies with giving yourself ample time for recoveryBut what that was interesting,nd ironic at the same time was that people who exercised moderately for about 30 minutes several times a week for 13 weeks lost more weight than those who worked out double that amount. This discrepancy was attributed to the fact that, those work out more intensely end

Exercise is one of the least expensive ways to stay healthy, with one study finding that exercise can

Today's world is full of modern conveniences. Communication is at the touch of a button, you can drive right to the window and get handed a greasy, hot meal, and even walking has become bothersome. Trying to find that spot closest to the door is worth driving around the lot five times. Kids play more in virtual reality than outdoors, and parents who are strapped for time settle on quick, processed meals for dinner. Unfortunately, we've created an environment fit for the lazy. Instead of having to preform physical activities to function throughout the day, we must find time for physical activity, which might not be realistic for everyone. The fast food industry and quick processed dinners feed the consumer with no time for exercise, and the

In Steven G. Aldana’s book, The Culprit and the Cure, we can read about how different studies and experiments have led to the discovery of how daily physical activity plays a role in reducing and reversing one’s risk of chronic disease. “If a person has a healthy diet, does not smoke, and exercises regularly, the odds of the person getting one of these [chronic] diseases are much lower. While a healthy lifestyle isn’t a guarantee that you won’t become chronically ill, it does tilt the odds heavily in your favor.” It is a commonly held belief that the amount of physical activity required to reap the benefits related to exercise is an extreme amount, but this is not true. Studies have shown that if an individual were to participate in as little as thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, they would receive the benefits and reduce their risk of contracting a chronic disease

According to Mayo Clinic, “exercise benefits every part of your body, it helps you feel better, have more energy, and contributes to your life expectancy.” (Mayo, 2011).

It is a well-documented fact that all individuals need to be physically active to prevent adverse health consequences and to maintain optimal health and fitness levels. Jeff McCubbin states in his article, “Adapted Physical Activity: Influential Impacts to Establish a Field of Study,” that there is sufficient research-based evidence that indicates that adolescences and young adults who engage in routine physical activity realize improvements in “cardiovascular and muscular fitness, bone health, and obesity and related biomarkers.”1 Though there has been a significant effort made to educate the public about the positive impact of exercise on health and fitness many individuals still remain inactive. In 2015, for instance, 47.9% of adults with

Being physically active is always important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regardless of your age. Obesity is a prevalent issue in America. According to the President’s Council on Fitness at Fitness.gov, “one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese” and “approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents (aged 2-19 years) are obese.” Obesity does not just stop at weight gain either. Studies by the President’s Council of Fitness also show that obesity can lead to even more serious and sometimes fatal health issues. These issues include but are not limited to: High blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Not only is obesity a strain on America’s health but it is also a strain on its economy. According

It is common knowledge that being physical inactive is one of the biggest reason why there is an increase in obesity and diabetes worldwide. It is also clear that with the invention of electronic devices, such as video game consoles and cell phones, there has been a decrease in exercise and an increase in obesity. Researchers are now trying to use technology, such as text messaging, in order to promote and increase physical activity and exercise to combat this growing problem worldwide. In this research paper titled “Physical Activity Text Messaging Interventions in Adults: A Systematic Review” the authors compiled an integrative research review that addressed the manner in which several research papers

This course has provided a new perspective on exercise and behavior adoption for many reasons. The first and prominent realization I had was during the behavior change project. This assignment allowed me to take a step back, and assess where I stand physically and mentally. I noticed that I lacked discipline in my diet and exercise routines. That being said, I did exercise periodically prior to this moment, but I knew that I was capable of accomplishing more and using my time more wisely. The fact that this assignment allowed me to directly apply what we learned in class in my life is appealing to me. There have been many theories and terms that we have covered, but items such as the self-determination theory, social support, and the stimulus-response theory stood out, probably due to incorporating them in my behavior change.

This course has given me a new perspective on exercise and behavior adoption for many reasons. The first and biggest realization I had was during the behavior change project. This assignment allowed me to take a step back and assess where I stand physically and mentally. I noticed that I lacked discipline in my diet and exercise routines. That being said, I did exercise periodically prior to this moment, but I knew that I was capable of accomplishing more and using my time more wisely. The fact that this assignment allowed me to directly apply what we learned in class to my life is appealing to me. There have been many theories and terms that we have covered, but items such as the self-determination theory, social support, and the stimulus-response theory stood out most, probably due to me incorporating them in my behavior change.

Dietary compliance for a severely restrictive diet is often bland and unpalatable to patients; as such, compliance with the diet can be challenging and an undesirable method of treatment. This study uses a token economy to reinforce compliance with a long term medically advised diet, spanning the study over the course of four weeks. Between meals and snacks, there are multiple opportunities each day for a patient to break the diet, which may have adverse health consequences for the patient. For this reason, it is crucial to modify the behavior of the patient in order to achieve the maximum medical support and health benefits.