Cited by 407Physical Activity and HealthBehavioral Health and InterventionsMotivation and Self-Concept in Sports

Efficacy of an individualized, motivationally-tailored physical activity intervention

Marcus, Bess H., Bock, Beth C., Pinto, Bernardine M., Forsyth, Leigh Ann H., Roberts, Mary B., Traficante, Regina M.·1998·Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

This study compared the efficacy of two low-cost interventions for physical activity adoption. Sedentary (N = 194) adults recruited through newspaper advertisements were randomized to receive either a motivationally-matched, individually-tailored intervention (IT) or a standard self-help intervention (ST). Assessments and interventions were delivered by repeated mailings at baseline, one, three, and six months. Participants were assessed regarding current physical activity behavior, motivational readiness to adopt regular physical activity, and psychological constructs associated with physical activity participation (e.g. self-efficacy, decisional balance). Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed significant increases in physical activity participation between baseline and six months for both groups with a significantly greater increase among IT participants. The IT group outperformed the ST group on all primary outcome measures: (a) minutes of physical activity per week, (b) reaching Centers for Disease Control and American College of Sports Medicine (CDC/ACSM) recommended minimum physical activity criteria, and (c) achieving the Action stage of motivational readiness for physical activity adoption. Both groups showed significant improvement between baseline and six months on the psychological constructs associated with physical activity adoption (e.g. self-efficacy), with no significant differences observed between the treatment groups. Utilizing computer expert systems and self-help manuals to provide individually-tailored, motivationally-matched interventions appears to be an effective, low-cost approach for enhancing physical activity participation in the community.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Blair SN, Powell KE, Bazzarre TL, et al: Physical inactivity, Workshop V. Circulation. 1993, 88:1402-1405.
  2. Marcus BH, Emmons KM, Simkin-Silverman LR, et al: Evaluation of stage-matched versus standard self-help physical activity interven- tions at the workplace. American Journal of Health Promotion. 1998, 12(4):246-253.
  3. Dunn AL, Marcus BH, Kampert JB, et al: Reduction in cardiovascu- lar disease risk factors: Six-month results from Project Active. Preventive Medicine. 1997, 26:883-892.

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Authors
Marcus, B. H., Bock, B. C., Pinto, B. M., Forsyth, L. A. H., Roberts, M. B., & Traficante, R. M.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Marcus, Bess H.
Venue
Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published
1998-09
Volume
20
Issue
3
Pages
174-180
ISSN
  • 0742-5554 (ISSN-L)
  • 0883-6612
  • 1532-4796
OpenAlex
W2001750663
Cited by
407
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 13
FWCI
6.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annals of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r29ca059660-05, 5k07ca001757-04)
  • National Cancer Institute (R29CA 59660, KO7CAO1757)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Keywords
physical activity adoption, personalized interventions, self-help intervention, sedentary adults, self-efficacy, decisional balance, motivational readiness, low-cost interventions
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Motivation, Motor Activity, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Time Factors

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