Physical Activity

Millions of Americans suffer from illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular exercise. In fact, some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States—such as heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes—can be avoided by performing physical activity on most days of the week.

While many individuals are aware that exercising more frequently could improve their health, starting and maintaining this behavior is often a challenge. CHIBE’s research on physical activity explores how behavioral economic interventions – such as incentives, social support, competition, and gamification – can increase physical activity and optimize health.

close up of the legs of four people walking near the water to get physical activity

Latest Publications

Browse All Publications on Physical Activity

Latest News & Media Mentions

From the Blog

The Olympic gamble: behavioral economics behind the games

February 17, 2026

View All News & Media on Physical Activity

Meet Our Experts in Physical Activity

David A. Asch, MD, MBA

Hannah Dart, MS

Angela L. Duckworth, PhD, MA, MSc

Alexander C. Fanaroff, MD, MHS

Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH

Ryan Greysen, MD, MHS, SFHM

Leslie John, PhD

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA

Kristin Linn, MStat, PhD

Katherine Milkman, PhD

Mitesh Patel, MD, MBA, MS

Roy Rosin, MBA

Louise B. Russell, PhD

Silvia Saccardo, PhD

Dylan Small, PhD

Justin Sydnor, PhD

Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD

Kimberly Waddell, PhD, MSCI

Collaborate With Us

Interested in collaborating with CHIBE on a physical activity related project? Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can work together.

Physical Activity

A community based participatory research approach to evaluate barriers and facilitators for behavioral weight loss intervention implementation in a predominantly black community

Economics of Translating Research Into Practice: The Case of Exercise to Prevent Cancer Recurrence

Effectiveness of Financial Incentives for Health Behavior Change: A Narrative Review and Analysis

Effect of Gamification Plus Automated Coaching to Increase Physical Activity Among Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: The GAMEPAD Randomized Controlled Trial

Behaviorally Designed Gamification and Physical Activity Among Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivors

Remote, Automated Gamification and Community-Based Physical Activity in Parkinson Disease

Feasibility and Usability of a Post-Hospital Behavioral Intervention to Improve Mobility in Veterans

A Work-Based, Fully Remote, and Peer-Supported Exercise Snack Behavior Change Intervention (MOV’D): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Cost-Effectiveness of Gamification, Financial Incentives, or Both to Increase Physical Activity Among Patients With Elevated Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

What motivates participants: a qualitative analysis of gamification and financial incentives to increase physical activity

Gamification With a Support Partner and Postoperative Mobility in Older Adults Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: The MOVE UP Randomized Clinical Trial

Perceptions, facilitators, and barriers of participation for a behavioral weight loss group-based telehealth program for breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study

Latest News & Media Mentions

The Olympic gamble: behavioral economics behind the games

A Simple, Gamified Program Boosted Walking in Parkinson’s Patients

Paying for Healthy Choices

Penn researchers discuss plans to gamify cardiovascular health using $25 million award

Meet Our Experts in Physical Activity

David A. Asch, MD, MBA

Hannah Dart, MS

Angela L. Duckworth, PhD, MA, MSc

Alexander C. Fanaroff, MD, MHS

Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH

Ryan Greysen, MD, MHS, SFHM

Leslie John, PhD

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA

Kristin Linn, MStat, PhD

Katherine Milkman, PhD

Mitesh Patel, MD, MBA, MS

Roy Rosin, MBA

Louise B. Russell, PhD

Silvia Saccardo, PhD

Dylan Small, PhD

Justin Sydnor, PhD

Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD

Kimberly Waddell, PhD, MSCI

Collaborate With Us

Physical Activity

Latest Publications

Latest News & Media Mentions

A Simple, Gamified Program Boosted Walking in Parkinson’s Patients

Paying for Healthy Choices

Penn researchers discuss plans to gamify cardiovascular health using $25 million award

Meet Our Experts in Physical Activity

Collaborate With Us

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