The Psychology of Physical Activity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study plans to learn more about psychosocial factors that contribute to adopting physical activity. The goal of this study is to improve upon existing theories of behavior change in order to help other people become more physically active.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between personal life meaning and purpose and physical activity maintenance in a group of previously sedentary adults starting new exercise programs. Participants complete questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after starting an exercise program. Participants are randomly assigned to complete questionnaires about daily meaning, mood, and activity for the first 4 weeks or to complete 8 random questionnaires about daily activities over the first 4 weeks. It is hypothesized that personal life meaning and purpose will be related to greater exercise participation at 12 weeks.

Official Title
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Meaning and Purpose as Predictors of Physical Activity Maintenance

Conditions
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Sedentary Lifestyle

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Daily Surveys
* Behavioral: Random Surveys (8)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 30-89 years old Joining or already a member of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Fitness Center Able to read and understand English Sedentary (< 60 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity a week) for the past 3 months Planning to start a new exercise program Exclusion Criteria: Physical contraindications to participate in physical activity (as defined as a positive PAR-Q score) Existing diagnosis of cardiovascular disease Currently pregnant

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 30 Years
Maximum Age: 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Daily Surveys<br>Participants complete a daily survey regarding their daily life meaning, mood, physical activity, and other activities for 4 weeks. | Behavioral: Daily Surveys<br>* Participants complete 28 daily surveys of daily meaning, mood, and physical activities.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Random Surveys (8)<br>Participants complete 8 random surveys over the first 4 weeks. | Behavioral: Random Surveys (8)<br>* Participants complete 8 random surveys of activities over the past 24 hours during the first 4 weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Physical Activity as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form | Evaluation of Physical Activity as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form | Baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frequency of Fitness Center Attendance measured by number of check-ins at fitness center | Number of check-ins at fitness center over 12 weeks | Daily for 12 weeks | 
| Changes in Physical Fitness, as measured by a combined scores on objective cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and strength. | Evaluate changes in cardiovascular, flexibility and strength. Participants complete a YMCA 3-minute step test for cardiovascular fitness (assessment of resting heart rate and recovery heart rate), a sit-and-reach test for flexibility, and a grip strength test for strength. Participants objective scores on these tests will be categorized on scales from 1 (poor fitness) to 5 (excellent fitness) based on age and gender and combined for a total fitness score (ranging from 4 to 20). | Baseline and 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Purpose in Life, Self-determination, Physical activity, Self-monitoring, Behavior change