Understanding Emotions to Help You Stay Active
Using real-time data capture to examine affective mechanisms as mediators of physical activity adherence in interventions
This project looks at how our feelings during exercise might help us stick with physical activity to prevent diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177791 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many adults don't get enough physical activity, which can increase the risk of cancer. While we know how much activity is recommended, it's harder to figure out how to keep people active long-term. This project explores how your emotional experiences during physical activity, like whether you enjoy it or find it unpleasant, influence your motivation to continue. Researchers will use real-time information to see if changing these feelings can help people stay active.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 and older who are currently physically inactive, especially those who find exercise unpleasant.
Not a fit: Patients who are already consistently active and enjoy their physical activity routines may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to design physical activity programs that help people enjoy exercise more and stick with it for better long-term health.
How similar studies have performed: This project is a Phase 1 trial exploring a novel approach to physical activity adherence, as it's currently unknown whether modifying affective mechanisms is an effective intervention strategy.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.