Does Current Activity Status Impact Goal Recommendation Adherence In A Worksite Walking Intervention?

Abstract

Goal setting is a common motivational behavior change technique used by individuals trying to increase their current physical activity levels. However, it can be difficult for people to set realistic goals based on their current and past activity experiences. PURPOSE: To examine if adherence to goal setting recommendations differ between active versus inactive individuals. METHODS: Adult participants (N=38) enrolled in a four-week worksite walking intervention completed a demographic and stage of change questionnaires. Active (n=14) and inactive (n=24) participants wore blinded accelerometers for 7 days to obtain baseline average daily step counts. Participants reviewed baseline numbers with a researcher to determine daily step goals for each week of the intervention. First, participants were informed that setting daily goals to increase 10% each week from baseline is recommended for safe and effective step increases. Then participants were able to choose their daily step goals for each week of the intervention. Goals set by participants in Week 1 were used to examine if activity status influenced adherence to the 10% step increase recommendation. RESULTS: A one-way between subjects ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of activity status on Week 1 goal setting in active and inactive participants. There was a significant effect of activity status on Week 1 goal setting at the p < .05 level for the two conditions [F(1, 36) = 4.834, p = 0.034]. Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test indicated that the mean score for inactive participants (M = 701.74, SD = 1397.81) was significantly different than active participants (M = -242.59, SD = 1029.58). CONCLUSION: Participants who were currently inactive set their goals higher than the recommended 10% increase from baseline for Week 1 while participants currently active set their goals lower than the recommendation. Goal setting should be realistic but challenging and activity status may impact a client’s desire to adhere to suggested recommendations. Considering a client’s current physical activity status may be valuable to consider when advising during the goal setting process and can be applied for a beneficial rehabilitation or exercise program.