The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends implementing efforts made in community settings to provide social support for increasing physical activity based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in increasing physical activity and improving physical fitness among adults. These social support interventions focus on changing physical activity behavior through building, strengthening, and maintaining social networks that provide supportive relationships for behavior change (e.g., setting up a buddy system, making contracts with others to complete specified levels of physical activity, or setting up walking groups or other groups to provide friendship and support).
The Community Guide [Internet]. Physical Activity: Social Support Interventions in Community Settings. c2001– [cited 2017 Feb 17]. Available from: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/content/physical-activity-social-support-interventions-community-settings