Extra pep talks and texts added nothing to strength training with a coach

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   14 young Black women at Auburn University, about 23 on average. Six were in the standard group and eight in the extra-motivation group.

2. 02

   What they did

   Both groups did 10 weeks of strength training led by a Black woman coach, then 11 weeks on their own. The extra group also had talks and texts. These were about exercise, staying on track, and feeling able and in charge.

3. 03

   What happened

   Everyone felt more motivated over time, with no difference between the groups. Both groups went to 93 in 100 sessions. Later, about 1 in 4 of the extra group and 1 in 3 of the other group kept training twice a week. This is a short conference summary and some of its numbers don't add up.

What the study found

1. No differenceMotivation

   Adding talks and texts to strength training with a coach did not raise motivation; both groups gained about the same.

   • Action: Learn how the problem workstested
   • Rule: Get a remindertested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Very small randomised trial of 14 young Black women at a US university · vs the same training without the talks and texts · they rated themselves · ⚠ only a short summary available; numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

2. No differenceGoals

   The talks and texts did not improve attendance: both groups went to 93 in 100 sessions.

   • Action: Learn how the problem workstested
   • Rule: Get a remindertested

   Very small randomised trial of 14 young Black women at a US university · vs the same training without the talks and texts · they rated themselves · ⚠ only a short summary available; numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show

Source