Abstract
Gain-framed messages have been shown to be more effective than loss-framed messages at promoting physical activity within an experimental setting (Latimer et al., 2008). However, testing the effects of framed messages delivered by a personal trainer in an exercise setting has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of message framing within a single exercise session. Female participants (n = 41) were randomly assigned to participate in a single exercise session that was either gain or loss framed. Questionnaires assessing constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) were completed before and after the exercise session. Results of one-tailed repeated measures ANOVAs found a main effect for time for all TPB variables (p < .05). After the exercise session, participants showed increases in all TPB variables. A frame x time interaction was observed for action planning F(1, 39) = 2.77, p = .05. A bonferonni pairwise comparison revealed that participants who attended the gain-framed exercise session tended to show a greater increase in action planning after the exercise session than before compared to participants who attended the loss-framed exercise session. Results of this study provide preliminary evidence for the use of gain-framed messages within a practical setting such as a single exercise session. Future research should continue to investigate the effect of framed messages within practical settings.Acknowledgments: SSHRC operating grant, CIHR Doctoral Fellowship, Canada Research Chairs Program