What effect do goal setting interventions have on physical activity and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active adults? a systematic review and meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Goal setting is commonly used for promoting physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active individuals. Previous reviews have analyzed the effects of goal setting on PA, but the purpose of this systematic review was to examine the concurrent effects of goal setting on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active individuals to support interventions aiming to produce sustained PA behavior change. METHODS: In this review (PROSPERO: CRD42021243970), we identified 13 studies with 1208 insufficiently active adults that reported the effects of goal-setting interventions (range 3-24 wk) on both PA and psychological outcomes (eg, self-efficacy, motivation, and affect). We used meta-analysis and narrative synthesis to analyze these effects. RESULTS: All goals used in the included studies were specific goals. Setting specific goals had a large, positive effect on PA (g [standard mean difference] = 1.11 [P < .001]; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.47), but only a small, positive effect on the combined psychological outcomes (g [standard mean difference] = 0.25 [P < .001]; 95% CI, 0.10-0.40). Moderator analyses revealed that interventions that did not reward participants had a significantly greater effect on PA than interventions that did provide rewards (g = 1.30 vs 0.60, respectively, P ≤ .003). No other significant moderators were found. CONCLUSION: Our review offers initial insight into the long-term effects of specific goals on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active adults. Further research that examines the PA and psychological effects of goal-setting interventions and investigates a wider range of goal types could develop a stronger evidence base to inform intervention for insufficiently active individuals.
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Goal-setting functions are consistent with Goal-Setting Theory, because digital wearable devices translate broad recommendations into specific and actionable targets such as daily step goals or activity thresholds.
“Goal-setting functions are also consistent with Goal-Setting Theory, because digital wearable devices translate broad recommendations into specific and actionable targets such as daily step goals or activity thresholds (28).”
From Behavior change pathways by which digital wearable devices support exercise self-management in type 2 diabetes: a scoping review with machine learning–assisted text mining (2026) · cites this paper as [28]
The Physical activity outcomes section (page unavailable) discusses specific daily step goals and suggests incorporating step goals into future physical-activity guidelines. It does not say that digital wearable devices translate existing recommendations into targets or establish that this device function is consistent with Goal-Setting Theory. (LLM, conf=0.84)
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References 74 · Cited by 20
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Lunenburg FC. Goal-setting theory of motivation. International journal of management, business, and administration. 2011;15(1):1-6.
- Wankel LM. The importance of enjoyment to adherence and psychological benefits from physical activity. Int J Sport Psychol. 1993;24(2):151-169.
- Authors
- Garstang, K. R., Jackman, P. C., Healy, L. C., Cooper, S. B., & Magistro, D.
- Affiliations
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- University of Lincoln (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2024-06-01
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 541-553
- ISSN
- 1543-3080 (ISSN-L)
- 1543-5474
- OpenAlex
- W4393372840
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 1.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Physical Activity and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
- Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Nottingham Trent University
- Trent University
- 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
- goal setting, physical activity, psychological outcomes, self-efficacy, motivation, affect, reward, behavior change, exercise intervention
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Goals, Health Promotion, Humans, Motivation, Health Behavior, Exercise, Self Efficacy, Sedentary Behavior
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