Can the Theory of Planned Behavior Predict the Maintenance of Physical Activity?
Abstract
This study tested the ability of the theory of planned behavior to predict actual participation in physical activity and explored the development of activity habits in a 12-week longitudinal study. People enrolling in a gymnasium (N = 94) completed standard theory of planned behavior measures at baseline and follow-up; behavior was monitored objectively in the intervening period. The data were analyzed by using both standard and repeatable events survival analysis. Results showed that (a) perceived behavioral control was significantly predictive of intentions and actual behavior, (b) stable exercise habits developed in the first 5 weeks of the study, and (c) successful prior performance enhanced perceptions of behavioral control. The implications for developing theory-based interventions that promote the maintenance of health behavior are discussed.
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Missing one opportunity does not preclude habit formation, but missing a week's worth of opportunities reduces the likelihood of future performance and hinders habit acquisition.
“These findings can easily sit side-by-side and suggest that missing one opportunity does not preclude habit formation, but missing a week's worth of opportunities reduces the likelihood of future performance and hinders habit acquisition.”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Armitage (2005)
In Armitage's study, behaviour was assessed in weekly blocks and a lapse was defined as not attending for a week.
“However, behaviour was assessed in weekly blocks and a lapse was defined as not attending for a week.”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Armitage, 2005
One study explored the development of exercise habits over a 12-week period (Armitage, 2005) and found that in this context, lapses in performing the behaviour were negative predictors of future performance.
“One study explored the development of exercise habits over a 12-week period (Armitage, 2005) and found that in this context, lapses in performing the behaviour were negative predictors of future performance.”
From How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world (2010) · cites this paper as Armitage, 2005
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“The use of these techniques is likely to increase as greater research attention is focused on understanding the maintenance—as well as the initiation— of health behavior and as it is recognized that single-occasion reports of behavior are not optimal (cf. Marcus et al., 2000; Murdock, 1962 ).”
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How are habits formed: modelling habit formation in the real world
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The role of clinical and social cognitive variables in parasuicide
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Armitage, C. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Armitage, Christopher J.
- Venue
- Health Psychology
- Published
- 2005
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 235-245
- ISSN
- 0278-6133 (ISSN-L)
- 1930-7810
- OpenAlex
- W2016074419
- Cited by
- 457
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 24.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- theory of planned behavior, physical activity maintenance, exercise habits, perceived behavioral control, exercise intention, prior performance, health behavior interventions, survival analysis
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Community Participation, England, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Health Behavior, Exercise
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