Abstract
Defining oneself as a physically active person is one of the strongest psychological predictors of physical activity (PA). The Physical Activity Self-Definition (PASD) model outlines correlates of PASD (i.e., wanting, commitment, trying, ability, enjoyment) which are theorized to influence PA behavior. No research has tested whether targeting the proposed correlates impact PASD and PA among inactive samples. This study employed a 5-week randomized controlled trial among an inactive adult sample to determine whether an intervention targeting PASD model variables (n = 63) led to increases in PASD and PA levels relative to an attention control condition (n = 57). Intervention participants learned how to apply PASD model variables to PA engagement while control participants learned about general health topics (e.g., sleep), both in group settings. Measures of PASD and PA (by accelerometers) were taken pre and post-intervention (week 5). ANCOVA showed a significant difference in levels of PASD between the intervention and control group after controlling for baseline levels of PASD, F(1,83) = 6.66, p = .01. Post hoc tests revealed a statistically significant increase in PASD within the intervention group, t(51) = -2.59, p = .01, but no significant changes within the control. No significant changes for PA were observed for the intervention or control groups from baseline to post-intervention. Results indicate that an intervention targeting variables of PASD increases levels of PASD; this did not translate to increased PA. Future research should continue to test this model and its effect on PA among inactive samples.
