Social networks kept the 41,000 participants in the Sprint Get Fit Challenge engaged and motivated throughout the 12-week challenge. Collectively, participants (who made up 35% of the telecom companys population) lost more than 41,000 pounds, took almost 4.8 billion steps, and logged nearly 22 million exercise minutes. By building excitement and supportive competition through social media, Sprints wellness leaders engaged participants over the long-term.
Through the social network platform powered by OptumHealth, individuals could track and compare their personal progress against their own goals, their teams progress, or an average users results throughout the challenge. Employees privacy was protected so that their weight was not viewable by the team and only percentages of weight change per individual were posted online. Through the website, participants could share workout plans, schedule healthy activities at their workplace, cheer on a teammates progress, encourage lagging colleagues, and celebrate wellness accomplishments with a high-five graphic.
