Custom Wellness Challenge
Creating a Buzz
To generate excitement months before program kickoff, the benefits team asked wellness coordinators across the university’s 15 institutions for custom trail attractions and locales. Coordinators were delighted to see their individual contributions come to life. Benefits staff also teamed up with HES at a University of Texas Living Well Summit to demo Keep UT System Active for the wellness coordinators and deepen their understanding of the challenge.
Number of
institutions:
15
Benefit-eligible
population size:
~172,000
Spreading the Word
HES provided each wellness coordinator cards with registration details to give eligible employees. In addition, HES held Keep UT System Active demos at University of Texas Dallas, University of Texas System Administration, and University of Texas MD Anderson. Increasing awareness and understanding of the program encouraged participants across the university to opt into this custom wellness challenge.
Spreading the Word
HES provided each coordinator cards with registration details to give eligible employees. In addition, HES held Keep UT System Active demos at University of Texas Dallas, University of Texas System Administration, and University of Texas MD Anderson. Increasing awareness and understanding of the program encouraged participants across the university to opt into this custom wellness challenge.
872 total teams
(45% increase from
previous challenge)
75% of team members
completed Keep UT System Active
(31% higher than those not on teams)
On average, those on teams exceeded the program goal of 100 by 25 points, while those who participated individually missed the program goal by 25 points.
Team participants logged
an average of 24 out of the
challenge’s 28 days; those
who participated alone
averaged 15 days of logging.
Strength in Teams
872 total teams
(45% increase from
previous challenge)
75% of team members
completed Keep UT System Active
(31% higher than those not on teams)
On average, those on teams exceeded the program goal of 100 by 25 points, while those who participated individually missed the program goal by 25 points.
Team participants logged
an average of 24 out of the
challenge’s 28 days; those
who participated alone
averaged 15 days of logging.
Customize it.
Participants like knowing their wellness challenge is designed with them in mind. By using this custom approach, the University of Texas System experienced progress in a unique way that increased program participation by 12% and kept participants coming back day after day.
Promote early and often.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center had one of the highest completion rates at 64%. By taking advantage of the university’s nutrition fair, starting a cross-campus walking club, and sending weekly emails, they were able to keep participants engaged and active.
Team up.
Stats don’t lie, and they say accountability is a driving motivator. On average, participants who joined a team in Keep UT System Active logged 21% more, had 40% higher average points, and were 31% more likely to complete the program.
“Being on a team held me accountable. I hit my 10,000 steps a day, which I wasn’t able to do prior to this challenge.”
“I liked the events UT held on campus. It allowed us to get up from our desks and walk a little. I also liked the ability to create teams. It was a great way to motivate each other and hold each other accountable.”
Make them want to come back for more.
Custom content and features kept participants on their toes, wondering what familiar location they might see next or if their site was the next stop. Science shows that elements of surprise contribute to increased attention and enhanced learning.
Stay connected.
A successful wellness challenge requires time invested in promotion. Keep UT System Active coordinators regularly communicated with participants about challenge statistics, related health promotion events, and walking schedules. The result: University of Texas System saw a 9% increase in completion compared to their previous wellness challenge.
“I liked the adventure and learning about the different UT Systems with Keep UT System Active. I read about many facts, monuments, and places I was not aware of.”
Have your own
program idea?
Canvas delivers challenge freedom and flexibility — allowing you to take customization to a whole new level.
Have your own program idea?
Canvas delivers challenge freedom and flexibility — allowing you to take customization to a whole new level.