Engineering online and in-person social networks to sustain physical activity: application of a conceptual model

Abstract

Background

High rates of physical inactivity compromise the health status of populations globally. Social networks have been shown to influence physical activity (PA), but little is known about how best to engineer social networks to sustain PA. To improve procedures for building networks that shape PA as a normative behavior, there is a need for more specific hypotheses about how social variables influence PA. There is also a need to integrate concepts from network science with ecological concepts that often guide the design of in-person and electronically-mediated interventions. Therefore, this paper: (1) proposes a conceptual model that integrates principles from network science and ecology across in-person and electronically-mediated intervention modes; and (2) illustrates the application of this model to the design and evaluation of a social network intervention for PA.

Methods/Design

A conceptual model for engineering social networks was developed based on a scoping literature review of modifiable social influences on PA. The model guided the design of a cluster randomized controlled trial in which 308 sedentary adults were randomly assigned to three groups: WalkLink+: prompted and provided feedback on participants’ online and in-person social-network interactions to expand networks for PA, plus provided evidence-based online walking program and weekly walking tips; WalkLink: evidence-based online walking program and weekly tips only; Minimal Treatment Control: weekly tips only. The effects of these treatment conditions were assessed at baseline, post-program, and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was accelerometer-measured PA. Secondary outcomes included objectively-measured aerobic fitness, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and neighborhood walkability; and self-reported measures of the physical environment, social network environment, and social network interactions. The differential effects of the three treatment conditions on primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed using general linear modeling (GLM), or generalized linear modeling if the assumptions for GLM cannot be met.

Discussion

Results will contribute to greater understanding of how to conceptualize and implement social networks to support long-term PA. Establishing social networks for PA across multiple life settings could contribute to cultural norms that sustain active living.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01142804

Background

Social networks, or people with specific patterns of contact among them, have been shown to influence physical activity (PA) in epidemiological and intervention research across diverse populations [1-4]. Despite the potential importance of social networks for sustaining PA, most adults report receiving minimal social support for PA from their social networks [5-8]. Furthermore, few interventions report success in building new social networks of active individuals, or modifying the activity-promoting behaviors of existing network members [9-15]. A lack of social networks to shape PA as a normative behavior may help explain why physical inactivity is now a global pandemic and the fourth leading cause of premature death [16]. Improving our understanding of how to engineer social networks might help to increase and sustain active living.

According to principles of the scientific method, improving procedures to build social networks to sustain PA requires developing and testing hypotheses, or models, about how specific social variables influence PA [17]. A hypothesis-driven approach can improve the fidelity, or procedural integrity, of implementing and measuring social variables, provide a roadmap that delineates which social variables were tested and untested in relation to PA outcomes, and facilitate efforts to refine hypotheses and interventions. Although existing PA interventions have targeted diverse social settings, there has been limited effort to define and measure independent, mediating (process), and moderating (effect-modifier) social variables that may affect PA within those settings. Advancing our understanding of how to build social networks to sustain PA requires more specific hypotheses and models about how social variables influence PA.

Key social network variables that have been shown to influence PA include the structure of people’s social connections with others (e.g., number and spatial arrangement of connections) [18-20], and the functions, or action-based consequences of those connections (e.g., modeling, praise) [21-23]. Social network structure and functions are often shaped by antecedent conditions in the physical and virtual (electronically-mediated) environments, and by a community’s demographic, biological, and psychological characteristics. The physical environment (e.g., access to PA facilities, mixed-used development) can provide opportunities for social interaction and modeling related to PA across multiple contexts [24-26]. Similarly, the virtual environment can reach people in diverse settings with opportunities for PA, as about 85% of US adults have Internet access, and 69% of those adults use online social networks [27,28]. Finally, people’s demographic, biological, and psychological characteristics may determine the extent to which they seek and obtain social interactions and reinforcement, and influence, or are influenced by, the PA behavior of others [29-31]. While many existing conceptual models have included subsets of variables related to social network antecedents, structure, or functions [32-42], none of these models have integrated these variables.

Existing conceptual models have also provided limited attention to virtual interactions that occur through online networks and other electronically-mediated communication modes, despite the success of online networks such as Facebook in engaging over 1 billion users, or one-seventh of the global population [43]. Incorporating virtual interaction modes such as online networks into conceptual models and interventions for PA could complement in-person efforts to build social networks for PA. Online networks can link people to PA opportunities and help coordinate such opportunities, expand the reach of a single comment about PA, highlight previously unknown similarities among individuals, enable modeling and normative comparisons of PA, and provide instantaneous feedback and reinforcement [44]. In-person activities resulting from online interactions may stimulate online interactions that further promote PA.

Online interactions could exert different effects on PA than in-person interactions because online contacts may have limited prior acquaintance, and lack non-verbal behavioral cues. These features of online interactions might either complement or undermine PA engagement. Because online and in-person interaction modes may exert unique effects that could be targeted in interventions, both should be included in conceptual models. Including both interaction modes is consistent with multi-level ecological models which propose that increasing cues and reinforcers for PA across diverse contexts could help sustain PA [33-35].

Despite the potential for online and in-person network-building procedures to sustain PA, it is unclear if these procedures could incrementally contribute to improving outcomes of evidence-based PA interventions. To build stronger PA interventions, it is important to determine if network-building procedures improve effects beyond those achieved with existing, state-of-the-art practices. Among existing evaluations of network-building procedures for PA [9,11,45-47], only one study to our knowledge assessed the incremental contribution of online networking procedures to a prior evidence-based PA intervention [11]. Self-reported outcomes suggested that online networking procedures did not enhance intervention effectiveness. To our knowledge, no prior studies have combined online networking with a comprehensive protocol to shape in-person social interactions for PA. Given the potential additive and synergistic effects of targeting both online and in-person interactions, evaluating a more comprehensive, multi-level approach is warranted.

Therefore, this paper aims to expand knowledge about how to engineer social networks to sustain PA by: (1) outlining a conceptual model of hypothesized relations among social network variables and PA; (2) demonstrating how this model was applied to design a randomized trial that evaluated the effects of online and in-person procedures to build social networks for PA; and (3) discussing how this model may enhance PA interventions.

Conceptual model of social networks and PA

The Social Networks for Activity Promotion (SNAP) model was designed to emphasize modifiable and measurable variables that could be manipulated by interventions and policies to influence social networks for PA (Figure 1). The model was developed based on a scoping review of epidemiological, intervention, and qualitative research on ecological, social network, and systems-science influences on PA and sustainable behavior change. A scoping review is appropriate when a primary goal is to integrate research on a broad topic area, and to formulate hypotheses or models to address research gaps [48].

Figure 1.

Social networks for activity promotion (SNAP) model.

The SNAP model is built on a multi-level ecological framework, based on the principle that multi-level interventions are more effective for sustaining behavior change [33,49]. Embedding an improved social network model in the multi-level framework ensures the social networking component is considered within the context of other levels of influence. The model proposes that PA is shaped and sustained by interactions between the Physical Environment, Social Network Environment, and Social Network Interactions. The physical environment can provide settings or resources that facilitate or inhibit social interactions related to PA. The social network environment provides or constrains access to: (a) populations with specific demographic, biological, and psychological attributes, and (b) modes (in-person, virtual) of interacting with such populations. The number and quality of social network interactions reflect opportunities and limits in the physical and the social network environment. Social network interactions can be defined by their structure—the attributes, spatial arrangement, and relationships among people [18-20], and by their functions—the different types of verbal and non-verbal behavior resulting from their structure that prompt and reinforce PA [21-23].

While ecological models typically define individual attributes as a separate level that interacts with other levels of the social and physical environment [33,49], network models typically define individual attributes as an integral part of the structure of social networks, or the social environment [18-20]. Consistent with network approaches, our model conceptualizes individual attributes as a component of social network structure. Consistent with ecological approaches, our model proposes that individual attributes interact with network functions, and with social network and physical environments to influence PA.

Pathways through which concepts in SNAP model influence PA

The variables in the SNAP model may vary on their presence/absence, number, type (form or function), frequency, schedule, intensity, duration, and setting/context. Understanding the effects of these procedural variations, independently and in combination, could improve procedures for building more sustainable social networks for PA. The variables in the SNAP model may also be simultaneously operating for sedentary behaviors that compete with PA (e.g., TV watching, driving). Therefore, PA interventions and policies will need to progressively refine the design of SNAP model procedures to ensure they are powerful enough to compete with sedentary-behavior influences. Although there are many “unknowns” about how best to operationalize SNAP model variables to engineer social networks for PA, we summarize evidence from existing research that guided the hypotheses tested in this study.

Across multiple life domains, physical attributes of built (man-made) and natural environments may influence population attributes of people who engage in PA in these environments. For instance, neighborhood walkability, which is characterized by multiple transportation links between destinations (connectivity), a high concentration of destinations in a region (density), and mixed-use (e.g., recreational, occupational, residential) [50], may be especially important for increasing transport-related PA among those with weak psychosocial predispositions for PA, older adults, and low-income populations [51-53]. Similarly, park proximity and perceived attributes such as neighborhood greenness/aesthetics may facilitate walking among families with children [54].

Attributes of built and natural environments, together with population attributes, may also influence the extent to which people engage in PA-related social interactions through in-person and virtual (electronically-mediated) interaction modes. In small towns, and in economically-deprived or high-crime areas, there may be fewer physical facilities, or less variety of facilities (physical homogeneity) for PA than in large cities, which may reduce the range of in-person and virtual interaction opportunities for PA [55-57]. Population individual attributes (e.g., age, physical disability), may further influence preferences for, and engagement in, specific types of in-person or virtual interaction modes for PA [58,59]. The degree to which available PA interaction modes match the needs of specific individuals may partly reflect the extent to which these individuals are demographically and biologically similar to other population members (population homogeneity) [60].

Social network centrality for PA is the number of people a person is connected to (i.e., knows or interacts with) in relation to PA. Centrality refers to a person’s position in the network (near center vs. near edge) and reflects the extent to which a person’s contacts are well-connected to others. Those with more connections tend to occupy a more central position in the network, which facilitates the ease of accessing and communicating PA-related information and opportunities [2,18,19]. Physical environments with attributes that promote PA (e.g., walkable neighborhoods, walking paths) should facilitate network centrality by fostering interaction opportunities related to PA (e.g., in-person/online walking groups, incidental social interactions while walking) [34]. These in-person and online interaction modes could enhance network centrality for PA by strengthening existing social connections and facilitating new connections [61-63]. Population attributes across different in-person and virtual interaction modes may also influence network centrality. People are more likely to form social connections with people who are similar to them, so physical settings populated by those who share common individual attributes are likely to facilitate more social connections [18,64,65]. More needs to be learned, however, about which types of attribute similarity are most salient for enhancing social connections.

While network centrality refers to the number of social contacts, network transitivity is the extent to which a person’s contacts know and interact with each other. Transitivity can be characterized by the quantity and duration of social interactions. Networks with high transitivity can help entrench social norms for PA or for competing sedentary lifestyles [66,67]. More frequent exposure to physical settings and interaction modes populated by people who share similar attributes (e.g., religious or professional affiliations), may increase transitivity.

The population attributes of the broader community of people available to become members of social networks, and the interaction modes they use to communicate with others, can influence network individual and relational attributes—the attributes of people who eventually become members of specific social networks for PA [64,68,69]. For instance, among individual attributes, a person surrounded by people who are low-income, or members of specific age groups, is more likely to have social connections with such individuals. Among relational attributes (i.e., attributes reflecting the joint status of two or more people), people’s frequency of interacting with diverse groups across multiple interaction modes may influence their degree of physical proximity to other network members, and their access to people providing different relationship roles (e.g., coworker, friend). Those who participate in a greater number and variety of interaction modes may have more opportunities to establish PA-related connections with people who are both similar (network homogeneity) and dissimilar to them [44].

People’s physical environment, social network environment, and social network structure may influence the extent to which they will be exposed to, and perform, social network functions, or verbal and non-verbal behaviors that can function to prompt or reinforce PA [18,19,70]. Social functions may include modeling and behavioral norms for active lifestyles, praise and encouragement for PA, providing tangible resources, assistance, or companionship to promote PA, and monitoring and refining PA relative to measurable standards [21-23]. Those with greater exposure to physical environments and interaction modes that prompt PA, and those with greater network centrality and transitivity are likely to have increased exposure to social functions that prompt and reinforce PA [18,19,70]. More extensive contact with people who serve diverse relationship roles (e.g., spouse, friend), and who have specific attributes (e.g., higher education, same gender) may also increase exposure to social functions [71,72]. Physical proximity appears to increase exposure to social functions such as companionship, but may be less important for functions such as transmitting norms [71-73]. The extent to which people receive and perform social functions has been shown to predict PA [8,70,74].

Overall, the SNAP model is consistent with existing ecological models, which propose that having multiple prompts and reinforcers for PA across diverse settings will increase PA [33-35]. It extends existing models by proposing that multiple interaction modes, in addition to multiple physical settings, can contribute to multi-level approaches to PA promotion. Interaction modes contribute to multi-level approaches by providing additional virtual settings for PA promotion, and by facilitating social interactions both within, and across, in-person and virtual settings. The model also assumes that structural and functional aspects of social networks can occur both in-person and in virtual modes, and among interconnected individuals or organized groups. Finally, the model integrates social networks with the built and natural environment, and suggests that our physical environment defines limits and opportunities that determine the existence and quality of our interactions with others.

Methods/Design

Project WalkLink is a cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial that was designed as a preliminary test of the SNAP model (Figure 1). This section provides an overview of the WalkLink trial and illustrates how the SNAP model was applied to design study hypotheses, and intervention and measurement protocols. The WalkLink study measured all variables in the SNAP model, except for the concepts of network transitivity, network individual attributes, and network homogeneity, as assessing participants’ social contacts exceeded the scope of the study.

Aims

Project WalkLink aimed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of three 12-week programs for engineering social networks to sustain regular walking and PA. Sedentary adults (N = 308) were randomly assigned to three groups: WalkLink+: prompted and provided feedback on participants’ online and in-person social-network interactions to expand networks for PA, plus provided evidence-based online walking program and weekly walking tips; WalkLink: evidence-based online walking program and weekly tips only; Minimal Treatment Control: weekly tips only. The primary outcome was accelerometer-measured PA. Secondary outcomes included objectively-measured aerobic fitness, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and neighborhood walkability; and self-report measures of the physical environment, social network environment, and social network interactions. Intervention fidelity was also measured. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-program, and 6-month follow-up.

The primary specific aims of this study were to:

1. Evaluate the differential effectiveness of the WalkLink+, WalkLink, and Minimal Treatment Control groups on change in primary and secondary outcomes from baseline to post-program and 6-month follow-up.

2. Evaluate if the physical environment, social network environment, and social network interactions mediate the effect of treatment condition on PA.

3. Evaluate if the physical environment, social network environment, and social network interactions moderate the effect of treatment condition on PA.

Hypotheses

Based on the SNAP model (Figure 1), average effect sizes for walking programs [14,75], and prior research on social mediators and moderators of PA [24,25,70], we hypothesized that:

1. Both the WalkLink+ and WalkLink groups would increase PA more than the Minimal Treatment control group.

2. The WalkLink+ group would increase PA more than the WalkLink group.

Across all treatment groups:

3. Participants exposed to a greater number and range of built and natural environment settings/resources for PA, population attributes, and interaction modes, would have greater network centrality for PA.

4. Greater network centrality for PA would increase exposure to social network functions for PA (modeling, resources/assistance/companionship, encouragement/praise, and behavioral monitoring and refinement).

5. Participants with specific relational attributes (physical proximity to PA partners, PA partners serving diverse relationship roles) would have greater exposure to social network functions for PA.

6. Participants with greater exposure to social network functions would have greater PA.

7. Change in PA would be mediated by the degree of change in the physical environment, the social network environment, and social network interactions.

8. Change in PA would be moderated by the degree of change in the physical environment, the social network environment, and social network interactions.

Participants

The study was conducted in three separate cohorts of sedentary adults recruited from small cities and towns within the Harrisburg-Carlisle metropolitan statistical area in Pennsylvania. Conducting three independent replications of study procedures will help clarify if effects are attributable to treatment condition, or to random or systematic error. Cohort 1 (n = 64), was recruited from selected neighborhoods in the city of Harrisburg (pop 49,528); cohort 2 (n = 119) was recruited from selected neighborhoods in the city of Lebanon (pop 25,477); and cohort 3 (n = 125) was recruited from selected towns in the Harrisburg-West Shore region (combined pop 22,788). Within each cohort, participants were required to live in adjacent census tracts over an area not exceeding a 10-minute automobile drive from its two furthermost borders. This requirement was instituted to facilitate in-person social interactions among participants randomized to the WalkLink+ group, based on findings suggesting that geographic proximity facilitates in-person social interactions [73,76].

To recruit participants for all three cohorts, a list of households in each of the recruitment areas with at least one person within the study’s age range was generated from a commercial marketing database (InfoUSA). Study information was sent to the identified households via a commercial mailing service in official university envelopes. Recruitment materials directed participants to an informational website with an online screening form.

Participant inclusion criteria were: (1) physically inactive, i.e., less than 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity PA, or less than 60 minutes/week of vigorous PA; (2) aged 35–64; (3) able to speak English; (4) able to provide informed consent; (5) able to participate in moderate intensity PA. Exclusion criteria were: (1) no access to home or private work computer with Internet access; (2) body mass index greater than 39.9; (3) systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure > 100 mm Hg; (4) bone, joint or foot problems interfering with walking; (5) diabetes, pulmonary, or cardiovascular disease; (6) consume 5 or more drinks of alcohol/day; (7) pregnant; (8) not residing within targeted recruitment areas or planning to relocate during the study period. Participants with more than one medical risk factor (e.g., high cholesterol, hypertension) were required to obtain a physician’s medical approval prior to study enrollment. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Figure 2 summarizes the study design.

Figure 2.

Study flow chart.

Randomization

At baseline, participants who indicated knowing other participants were clustered into a single randomization unit, consistent with established procedures for minimizing treatment contamination [77]. Participants were subsequently grouped into 12 strata by: (a) acquaintance with other participants/gender (three levels: cluster of acquainted participants, unacquainted males, unacquainted females); (b) age (two levels: above and below sample median age); and (c) aerobic fitness (two levels: above and below sample median fitness level). Stratification prior to randomization is recommended for cluster randomized trials to balance key variables among study conditions [77]. After randomly sequencing each participant/cluster in each stratum, computer-generated permuted block randomization (block size of three with equal allocation) was used to randomize participants to the three study conditions.

Intervention

Table 1 illustrates the integration of intervention procedures with the SNAP model. Participants in all three conditions received a 12-week program that promoted walking and PA. All participants were encouraged to walk three or more times per week for at least 30 minutes per session, and to complete at least one other PA mode one or more times per week to achieve the benefits of cross-training. All participants also received emailed “tips of the week” once weekly, which emphasized actions to build social and environmental support for walking. Prior research suggests that this type of information has short-term, small effects on PA [78].

Table 1.

Integration of theoretical concepts and intervention procedures

Theoretical Concepts	Intervention Procedures1	Minimal Treatment Control	WalkLink	WalkLink+
Social Functions	Educational materials	X	X	X
• Encouragement/prompt	-Receive same PA prescription.
	-Receive walking “tips of the week” once weekly.
Social Functions	Shape walking quantity and speed		X	X
• Modeling	-Receive one-on-one in-person meeting. Program activities demonstrated and practiced with corrective feedback.
• Resources/assistance	-Given pedometer, stopwatch, walking log, and program manual.
• Behavioral monitoring	-Prompted once weekly to submit walking logs to research staff.
	-Self-monitor walking quantity and speed using walking log, pedometer, and stopwatch.
• Behavioral norms	-Walking quantity and speed compared to other program participants and past performance.
• Behavioral refinement	-Given tailored weekly goals and graphical feedback to increase walking quantity and speed.
• Encouragement, praise
Environment and Social Structure and Functions	Online WalkLink social network site			X
• Setting/resource access/proximity, number, homogeneity	-Promoted as a local program and participants informed they were living in same neighborhood as other participants.
• Network physical proximity	-Prompted to attend four “meet the group” walks led by project staff in central neighborhood locations; participants asked to introduce themselves/talk to each participant.
• Virtual and in-person interaction modes	-Access to WalkLink Facebook site during, and at least 1 year after program. Site activities include: posting profile, inviting family/friends/coworkers to join site, posting and joining local walking and PA events,discussion board, status updates, posting photos, “friending” other participants; received emails from site.
• Network centrality and transitivity
• Modeling/norms
• Encouragement, praise
• Resources, assistance, companionship	-Eligible for entry into drawings for gift cards contingent on posting or joining walking/activity events on WalkLink site.
• Behavioral monitoring
Environment and Social Structure and Functions	Shape social network-building activities across in-person settings and online WalkLink site			X
• Behavioral monitoring	-Self-monitor number of walks taken with others, and in-person community-based and Facebook-based social networking activities completed each week using checklist (Figure 3); submit networking activities once weekly to research staff.
• Setting/resource number, homogeneity
• Virtual and in-person interaction modes
• Network centrality and transitivity
• Behavioral norms	-Participation in social networking activities compared to other program participants and past performance.
• Behavioral refinement	-Given tailored weekly goals and graphical feedback to increase social networking activities.
• Encouragement, praise

¹In Cohort 1, Ning Networks was used in the place of Facebook, and no incentives were given for online social networking. All other procedures were identical across all three cohorts.

In the Minimal Treatment Control condition, aside from receiving the emailed tips, there was no contact between project staff and participants for 12 weeks.

The WalkLink condition received an introductory skill-building meeting, a program manual, and 12 weeks of tailored email coaching (Table 1). To improve walking quantity and speed, they were asked to use a program-provided Yamax SW-200 pedometer, wrist stopwatch, and walking log, and a free site (http://www.mappedometer.com/) to measure walking mileage. Participants were prompted by email each week to submit forms detailing their walking frequency, pedometer steps, duration, mileage, rating of perceived exertion, and emotional state while walking to project staff, using previously tested procedures [14]. Within one day of receipt of walking logs, participants received emailed graphical feedback that showed how their walking steps and speed compared both to their prior performance and to other participants. The feedback also provided tailored walking goals for the forthcoming week. Feedback was not automated but was generated using algorithms.

The WalkLink+ condition received all procedures described for the WalkLink group. However, their introductory meeting also provided instruction on using a private online social networking site. In cohort 1, we used Ning Networks for the site, while in cohorts 2 and 3, based on participant feedback, we used a private Facebook site. Following the introductory meeting, four “meet the group” walks in participants’ neighborhoods were led by program staff in the first two weeks of the program to facilitate meeting other WalkLink+ members. Participants were then asked to post self-led walking or PA events on the online networking site and to join other members’ events. In cohorts 2 and 3, but not cohort 1, all participants who posted or joined events were eligible for entry into a drawing for a $25 gift card every two weeks. Participants were encouraged to invite friends and family members to join the online networking site and walking/PA events.

Participants in the WalkLink+ group were asked to self-monitor and report the number of people they walked with each week, and the number of social networking actions taken in the prior week using a checklist (Figure 3). Consistent with shaping procedures [79], we first emphasized easier networking behaviors (e.g., attending the “meet the group” walk), followed by more complex behaviors such as engaging one’s local community in walking. WalkLink+ participants received weekly graphical feedback on their number of walking partners and social networking actions relative to their past performance and other program participants, and tailored goals to increase networking activity.

Figure 3.

Social network-building activities for WalkLink+ group.

An online discussion board on the online networking site presented a weekly topic related to social networking goals (e.g., leading walking groups) to enable participants to learn from others’ experiences and develop collaborative plans. Participants could also contribute their own discussion topics. Aside from posting discussion topics, program staff contributed to the online networking site only to address participant questions. A separate networking site was used for each cohort to permit tailoring to neighborhood-specific resources (e.g., local walking routes and fitness classes), and to facilitate social interactions among members living in close geographical proximity.

Measures

Table 2 illustrates the integration of our measurement protocol with the SNAP model. Participants received $20, $30, and $40, respectively, for attending the baseline, post-program, and 6-month follow-up assessments at a clinical research center. All measurement staff received training in conducting assessments to ensure consistency to the study protocol.

Table 2.

Integration of theoretical concepts and measurement procedures

Theoretical Concepts	Measures	Pre	During	Post	6-month follow-up
Built and Natural Physical Environment	Walkability (connectivity, density, mixed-use), Perceived Attributes
	• Geographical Information Systems (ArcGIS 10): 0.5 mile road network buffer for each geocoded address; walkability index based on street connectivity, residential density, and land use mix [80,81]	X
	• Walkscore [82]	X
	• Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale [83]	X		X	X
	PA Settings and Resources: Number, Attributes, Homogeneity
	• Convenient PA facilities questionnaire [84]	X		X	X
	• Home exercise equipment questionnaire [84]	X		X	X
	• Settings where PA was done (adapted scale) [85]	X		X	X
Population Attributes	Population Number and Density
	• Census data	X
	Population Individual Attributes
	• Background characteristics questionnaire	X
	Population Homogeneity
	• Degree of similarity on selected characteristics between each participant and other participants by each recruitment cohort [86]	X
Interaction Mode	Use of Interaction Modes for Walking and Physical Activity
	• Self-reported use of different communication modes (online, phone, in-person) to organize walking and PA*	X		X	X
	• WalkLink+ group only: objective monitoring of frequency and types of activities conducted (e.g., posting walks, contributing to discussions) on online WalkLink site		X	X	X
	Access and Use of Interaction Modes in General
	• Self-reported ownership and use of cell phones to receive email*	X
	• Self-reported use of Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace*			X
Social Network Centrality	In-Person Connections
	• Self-reported number of different companions for walking and PA*	X		X	X
	• Self-reported number of friends/family members participating in this program*	X		X
	Online Connections
	• WalkLink+ Group only: objective monitoring of number of “friends” on online WalkLink site		X	X	X
Social Network Relational Attributes	Physical Proximity
	• Self-reported geographical proximity to existing walking and PA companions*	X		X	X
	Network Relationship Roles
	• Self-reported types of relationships (e.g., friend, family member) with existing walking and PA companions*	X		X	X
Social Network Functions: Behavioral	Resources, Assistance, Companionship, Encouragement, Praise
	• Social support for walking and PA scales [87]	X		X	X
	• Participant actions to prompt walking and PA scale*	X		X	X
	Modeling/Norms
	• Modeling and social norms for walking and PA scale*	X		X	X
	Behavioral Monitoring and Refinement
	• Goal setting and planning for walking scales (adapted) [74]	X		X	X
Social Network Functions: Perceived	Physiological Exertion
	• Borg rating of perceived exertion immediately after each walk [88]		X
	Emotional States/Enjoyment
	• Rating of overall feeling/emotions immediately after each walk [14]		X
	• Walking enjoyment (adapted scale) [89]	X		X	X
	Perceived Benefits and Costs
	• Proximal outcome expectations (adapted scale)* [14,74]	X		X	X
Physical Activity	Sedentary Behavior, and Light, Moderate, and Vigorous PA
	• Actigraph GT3X triaxial accelerometer, worn for 7 days, data stored as 1-min averages [90,91]	X		X	X
	Walking Activity
	• Pedometer (Yamax SW-200), stopwatch, and weekly walking logs reporting walking steps and speed [92,93]		X
	• National Health Interview Survey (2 items) [94]	X		X	X
	PA in Different Life Domains, Sedentary Behavior
	• International PA Questionnaire, long version [95]	X		X	X
	PA Modes (different types of PA)
	• Aerobics Center Longitudinal PA Questionnaire [96]	X		X	X
Health Outcomes	Aerobic Fitness
	• Submaximal treadmill test: submaximal heart rate (measured by Polar heart rate monitor) during test [97]	X		X	X
	• Submaximal treadmill test: estimated VO2max [97]	X		X	X
	Vitals
	• Pulse: calibrated hospital-grade Welch Allyn device [98]	X		X	X
	• Blood pressure: calibrated hospital-grade Welch Allyn device [98]	X		X	X
	Body Composition
	• Body mass index: Physician’s balance beam scale (model Detecto 439) and calibrated Seca 242 digital stadiometer [97]	X		X	X
	• Waist circumference: Gulick II tape measure [97]	X		X	X
	Sleep Quantity and Quality
	• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [99]	X		X	X
	• Exposure to ambient noise during sleep scale*	X		X	X
Intervention Fidelity	Participation[100]
	• Return rate for weekly walking logs		X
	• Attendance rate at program-organized walks for WalkLink+ group		X
	• Activities on online social networking site for WalkLink+ group		X	X	X
	Intervention Receipt and Satisfaction[100]
	• Program evaluation survey: qualitative and quantitative assessment*			X
	Change in Theoretical Mediators
	• Degree to which theoretical mediators (listed above) changed in hypothesized direction for each of the intervention groups	X	X	X	X
	Intervention Delivery and Quality Control
	• Program records, weekly meetings, staff training, walking feedback double-checked each week and 10% of feedback reviewed by PI, double-verification of manually entered data, participants recontacted for missing data, multiple sources of contact information obtained for each participant		X

*New investigator-designed measure.

Statistical power and sample size

The study was powered to compare the WalkLink+ and the WalkLink group relative to the minimal treatment control group on the primary outcome: mean change in accelerometer-measured PA from baseline to post-program and 6 month follow-up. Based on effect sizes from similar walking programs (i.e., programs including self-monitoring and regular feedback), we estimated an effect size (Cohen’s d) of d = .60 for both the WalkLink+ and WalkLink groups relative to the minimal treatment control group [14,101,102]. For a secondary comparison of the WalkLink+ group to the WalkLink group on primary outcomes, we estimated an effect size of d = .45 [14,103]. Assuming a total initial sample size of 308 (~103 per group), 20% attrition at 6-month follow-up, a two-sided test, and an overall significance level of 0.05, we estimated at least 90% power to detect group differences on the primary outcome between (1) the WalkLink+ group and minimal treatment group; and (2) the WalkLink group and minimal treatment group. Similarly, we estimated at least 80% power for the secondary comparisons of group differences between the WalkLink+ and the WalkLink groups.

Planned statistical analyses

We will use general linear modeling (GLM), or generalized linear modeling if the assumptions for GLM cannot be met, to compare the mean change in the primary outcome (accelerometer-measured PA) and secondary outcomes (e.g., aerobic fitness, blood pressure) from baseline to post-program and six-month follow-up across the three treatment conditions (WalkLink+, WalkLink, Minimal Treatment Control). A range of covariates will be adjusted for including cohort (neighborhood), randomization strata, and key demographic characteristics. Intraclass correlation coefficients will be calculated to determine whether clustering within cohort or randomization strata require statistical adjustment. In secondary statistical analyses, we will investigate whether mediating and moderating variables (e.g., physical environment, social network environment, and social network interactions) influence change in primary and secondary outcomes. We will use SAS (Version 9.3) PROC GLM for GLM and PROC GENMOD for generalized linear modeling. When intraclass correlation coefficients are not negligible, we will use PROC GLMMIX to account for individual clustering within cohort or randomization strata.

Discussion

Despite growing recognition that social networks both shape and mirror community-level PA, little is known about how best to engineer social networks to sustain PA. Some research based on network science suggests that modifying network structure (e.g., number and spatial arrangement of social connections) could alter population-level PA [19,104]. Other research based on ecological models suggests that modifications to social network structure cannot occur in isolation. Rather, new and modified networks are formed, changed, and sustained by physical and social influences, and by individual factors [33-35].

We proposed a conceptual model (SNAP) that integrates aspects of network science with ecological science. We also demonstrated how this model could be applied to guide intervention design and measurement. The SNAP model proposes that establishing social networks to sustain PA requires: (1) placing people in new virtual or in-person environments with people who prompt and reinforce PA; or (2) optimizing the functioning of existing social networks through increasing actions that may prompt or reinforce PA, including modeling, tangible assistance, praise and encouragement, and behavioral monitoring. Therefore, interventions or policies that target change in physical or virtual environments, or in the behaviors of people within those environments, may help build networks to sustain PA.

While the SNAP model remains to be tested and refined, it provides an initial roadmap for engineering social networks based on prior theory and empirical research. The model emphasizes modifiable independent and mediating variables that can be manipulated in PA interventions or policies, or included in multi-level analyses, and evaluated for their effects on dependent variables. Although developed to guide PA interventions, the model may also help guide selection of variables to alter social networks in other areas of health behavior change. The model extends prior research on social networks by integrating findings from network science within an ecological framework, and by proposing that multi-level ecological approaches should include both virtual and in-person modes for PA promotion across multiple settings. Having cues and prompts for PA across multiple interaction modes could increase the capacity of PA interventions to change social mediators (e.g., modeling, social reinforcement) associated with sustained PA [33,34].

Although the SNAP model’s hypotheses are based on current research and theory, there are still many “unknowns” about how to engineer social networks for PA. To address these unknowns, the model should be tested in PA interventions or epidemiological studies, with results used to refine the model and improve interventions. Model testing can evaluate how PA is influenced by manipulating the presence/absence, number, type (form or function), frequency, schedule, intensity, duration, and setting/context of variables identified in Figure 1 and Table 2. Examining effects of mediating and moderating variables across diverse geographic and demographic characteristics could help identify generalizable principles that could improve procedures to build networks for PA, as well as subgroups that might benefit from tailored interventions. Because variables can have additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects, examining effects of different combinations of model variables might improve intervention parsimony and cost-effectiveness.

While the WalkLink study demonstrates the application of SNAP model concepts at the individual and community-level, these concepts could also be implemented and tested for effectiveness at the policy-level. Policies requiring health-behavior change programs to use more diverse interaction modes across multiple physical settings could expand population access to social cues and reinforcers for PA. Policies might also provide economic incentives to organizations that connect people to free or low-cost community-resources for PA, track PA using automated devices, or provide other related social functions. Exploring the effects of policy change on expanding access to in-person and virtual social networks for PA remains an important area for further inquiry.

Future research may also benefit from exploring areas of conceptual overlap among SNAP model variables, and developing unique operationalizable definitions of variables that minimize conceptual overlap. For instance, at least part of the concept of “network transitivity”—the extent to which network members know and interact with each other, is captured by the concept of “social functions”—the frequency of social interactions to prompt and reinforce PA. While measures of network transitivity may provide a structural representation of such interactions, it is unclear if such measures would explain additional variance in PA beyond the “social functions” variable. Similarly, the concept of “social capital” has been defined as behavioral norms [105], and access to people who can provide assistance or resources [19]. Because the concept of social capital overlaps with the concept of “social functions,” we did not include social capital in the model as a separate variable. More grant funding is needed to support team-science to develop common terminology that can be used by the growing field of social network researchers. This effort should be transdisciplinary, as scientists specializing in different disciplines are most likely to have the expertise to identify conceptual discriminations that could impact public health [106]. Establishing common terminology could improve scientific communication, and accelerate progress in developing more powerful interventions and policies.

Christakis and Fowler wrote, “a social network is like a commonly owned forest: we all stand to benefit from it, but we also must work together to ensure it remains healthy and productive” [44, p. 31]. To-date, relatively few PA interventions or policies have included comprehensive procedures to target social networks that could sustain PA. In part, the lack of emphasis on social networks may reflect the complexity and range of variables in this transdisciplinary field, and the lack of testable models and hypotheses. The present research aimed to address this gap by proposing a conceptual model with modifiable variables that could be targeted to alter social networks. The hypotheses proposed in our model require further verification. However, testing and refining these hypotheses is warranted, as changing the PA of even one person in online or in-person networks could alter PA among that person’s friends, coworkers, and family members. By gradually increasing the PA of people in social networks, we may ultimately be able to harness social networks to sustain PA.

Abbreviations

PA: Physical activity; SNAP: Social networks for activity promotion; GLM: General linear modeling

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

LR led the design of the study’s conceptual model, intervention procedures, and measures, led the writing of the manuscript, and is supervising the study. JS collaborated on the design of the study’s conceptual model, intervention procedures, and measures. JK and CS collaborated on the design of the study’s intervention procedures and measures. EK is the study coordinator and contributed to the design of the study’s intervention procedures. CR supervised the design and administration of the study’s fitness testing procedures, and contributed to the study design. VC and DD contributed to the design of the study’s data analysis procedures. SM supervised the design of the study’s geographical information systems assessments. MB and DG contributed to the conceptualization of the overall study. MH contributed to the design of the study’s conceptual model, intervention procedures, and measures. All authors contributed to manuscript writing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Pre-publication history

The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/13/753/prepub

Acknowledgments

This research was funded, in part, by NIH Grant R00HL088017 awarded to Dr. Liza Rovniak, by grant #4100050904 with the Pennsylvania Department of Health using Tobacco CURE Funds awarded to Drs. Liza Rovniak and Jennifer Kraschnewski, by NIH grant CA138192 awarded to Dr. Melbourne Hovell, and by NIH Grant HL67350 awarded to Dr. James Sallis. We thank Connie Bechtel, BS, CSCS, NASM-CPT, Charity Sauder, MS, Erica Bates, BS, and Matthew Solovey for their assistance in conducting this study. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or the National Institutes of Health. The Pennsylvania Department of Health specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations or conclusions.