Application of a theory-based exercise promotion program (race) for adults in therapy for substance use disorders: A longitudinal interventional study

Abstract

One of the main goals of substance use disorders (SUDs) treatment is the attainment and maintenance of abstinence, by promoting the adoption of new healthy behaviors, utilizing a wide variety of interventions and strategies. Sport is an example of a health-related behavior that is applied in SUDs treatment, with varied effects. The present study describes the implementation and influence of a 5-week endurance training program (RACE), and prepare participants to take part in a non-professional 10K race, based on self-determination and goal-setting theories. The objectives of the intervention were: (a) to train individuals in treatment for SUDs, to set goals and work to attain such goals within a sport context (b) to enhance the participants to transfer such skills into SUDs treatment, using the same techniques and processes and (c) boost participants’ self-confidence so that they may indeed attain their goals. The participant of the RACE program was 14, with average previous substance use of 15 years, following 3.5 months of treatment of SUDs. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between goal achievement and self-confidence improvement (d=3.33) and treatment attendance. The follow-up assessment also revealed that the RACE program worked positively not only to strengthen the participants to develop goal-setting skills (M=8.55, SD=.69) but also to transfer the goal-setting strategies in their therapeutic process (M=8.69, SD=.85). Results further supported the idea that sport can be a safe environment for the training of behavioral-change and motivational strategies in the treatment of SUDs. Keywords: self-confidence, SDT, goal-setting, skill transfer, SUDs, physical activity