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Picciafoco, L., Vezzoli, M., Carfora, V. & Catellani, P. (2025). Promuovere l’invecchiamento attivo attraverso la comunicazione: effetti di un intervento tramite app per incentivare l’attività fisica. In Boffo, V., Bersani, M., Bramanti, D., Chattat, R., & Formenti, L. (a cura di). Accompagnare la longevità. Buone pratiche educative e formative per l’invecchiamento attivo. Firenze University Press.
This paper presents an experimental study aimed at promoting physical activity among individuals aged over 50 through an app-based messaging intervention.
A total of 312 participants were recruited via online panels. The intervention involved the delivery of prefactual («if… then…») messages over a two-week period. These messages were framed in terms of ‘Gain’ or ‘Non-Loss’ and focused on either the physical or mental health consequences of engaging in physical activity.
Findings indicated that, overall, exposure to ‘Mental Non-Loss’ messages led to an increase in light and moderate physical activity and a reduction in sedentary behaviour. The effectiveness of the messages varied according to individual interests: those with low interest in mental health showed increased light physical activity when exposed to ‘Mental Gain’ messages, whereas individuals with a high interest in physical health increased their light physical activity in response to ‘Physical Non-Loss’ messages.
This intervention provides valuable insights into how personalised communication strategies can effectively promote physical activity among older adults.
Read the chapter (ITA)