WE USE Facebook to share information and post photos but now a team of University of Ballarat researchers wants to use the social networking site to help people exercise.
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The project, conducted by three researchers from the university's School of Heath Sciences, aims to determine if Facebook could help overweight people stick to an exercise program.
Exercise and sports psychology lecturer Christopher Mesagno and his colleagues Brendan O'Brien and Daryl Fox are asking participants to do 30 minutes of exercise, three days a week.
"One of the things we wanted to look at is if social support does improve your ability to maintain an exercise program," he said.
"Hopefully having an online group or online forum to support people might actually be a way to help people exercise.
"This is the first study that's looking if Facebook can provide that sort of support."
The researchers are looking for people in the Ballarat area .
Dr Mesagno said they wanted regular Facebook users between 18 and 50 who thought they were overweight and wanted to exercise more.
"The project promises to be an exciting new way to combine innovative technology and physical activity ," he said.
Contact Dr Mesagno on 5327 6136.
