After a financial health incentive program in Canada was scaled back following more than a year of full funding, improvements in physical activity dropped by about 200 steps per day, which was considered a statistically significant but not clinically meaningful decline, according to a new study.
For the most part, the authors concluded, physical activity can be maintained with less frequent and less costly financial incentive reinforcement, once it has been established.
Sean Spilsbury
“This study has real-world implications for government and corporate wellness programs that provide financial health incentives, like paying people to walk more,” lead author Sean Spilsbury, senior analyst at the Canadian Institute for Health Information in Toronto, told Medscape Medical News. Spilsbury conducted the research in his previous role as a kinesiology research assistant and graduate student at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.
“These programs can be super expensive, especially when delivered on a population scale (whole cities or countries) and for longer periods (more than a year),” he said.
From 2016 to 2019, three provincial governments in Canada — those of British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador — offered financial incentives for citizens to maintain physical activity goals through a mobile health app called Carrot. The app offered 4 cents CAD per day for completing personalized and adaptive daily step count goals, as well as team-based goals worth 40 cents CAD per week. Although the financial incentives were small, they were provided instantaneously as loyalty points and could be redeemed for items such as movie tickets or gas, the authors noted.
In December 2018, due to fiscal constraints, Ontario withdrew financial incentives for personalized daily physical activity goals, which represented a 90% reduction in incentives for physical activity earnings. The incentives remained in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, however.
To examine this change as a naturally occurring experiment, Spilsbury and colleagues designed a 25-week quasi-experimental case-control study, defining the intervention period as the 12 weeks before incomplete financial incentive withdrawal in Ontario, which spanned from early September to early December 2018. Since the Canadian winter holiday season could have influenced daily step counts, the weeks between early December through early January were treated as a pseudo-washout period to allow physical activity behaviors to stabilize. The research team examined the 8 weeks between early January and early March to understand the effects of financial incentive withdrawal on physical activity in Ontario.
Among 584,760 participants, all three provinces saw a downward trend from September to December, reflecting the seasonal declines expected during the colder winter season. Additional decreases occurred by March. The most pronounced decline was seen in Ontario: an average decrease of 367 steps per day, compared with a drop of 169 steps per day in British Columbia and an average drop of 93 steps per day in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The decline was most pronounced among highly engaged users in Ontario (328 steps per day), compared with low-engagement users (211 steps per day). In addition, physically active users in Ontario had a decline of 232 steps per day.
Physically inactive users were the only group in Ontario to show an increase, inching up 107 steps per day on average. Similarly, physically inactive users showed increases in British Columbia (234 steps per day) and Newfoundland and Labrador (187 steps per day).
Overall, incomplete financial incentive withdrawal led to modest physical activity declines of about 100 to 300 steps per day, depending on the analytical approach and the subgroup analyzed. However, the reductions are not clinically meaningful, the authors wrote, and represent a fraction of the initial increase after a year of exposure to the app — a jump of about 900 steps per day in general and 1800 steps per day among physically inactive users.
“Our study suggests incentives can be mostly scaled back without untoward effects on physical activity,” said Spilsburg. “This information may be relevant for government and corporate decision makers working within finite wellness program budgets.”
Sustainable financial incentive models are needed, Spilsbury and colleagues wrote. Without randomized clinical trials in this area, however, researchers must evaluate naturally occurring program changes to understand how financial reductions may affect interventions. In this case, for instance, modest declines may have occurred because the rewards for daily physical activity achievements were provided for more than a year before withdrawal began, which could be long enough for habit formation.
Long-Term Sustainability
Matthew Kwan, PhD
Commenting on the findings for Medscape, Matthew Kwan, PhD, associate professor of child and youth studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and adjunct professor of family medicine and kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, said, “We know that when people initiate exercise, maintenance can be a big issue, with dropout rates of more than 50% in the first 6 months. It’s promising that this study showed initial increases in activity and a mitigation of the decreases that typically happen.”
Kwan, who wasn’t involved with this study, researches physical activity and behavioral changes throughout childhood and during the transition after high school. He and colleagues have created intervention programs through public-private partnerships to build physical literacy, motor competencies, and self-confidence in patients undergoing various life transitions.
“The question this raises is about the long-term sustainability of these models,” he said. “Although the financial incentives are promising, we need to figure out a more sustainable way this could work, where we’re not relying on government funding to get people to move,” such as insurance company incentives, corporate wellness programs, and public-private partnerships.
The study was funded by the government of Ontario through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Spilsbury and Kwan reported no relevant financial relationships.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
