Abstract
Assessing levels of physical activity (PA) and providing feedback about these levels might have an effect on participant’s PA behavior. This study discusses the effect of different levels of feedback—from minimal to use of a feedback display and coach—on PA over a 4-week intervention period. PA was measured at baseline, during and immediately after the intervention. Participants (n = 227) were randomly assigned to a Minimal Intervention Group (MIG-no feedback), Pedometer Group (PG-feedback on steps taken), Display Group (DG-feedback on steps, minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and energy expenditure) or Coaching Group (CoachG-same as DG with need-supportive coaching). Two-way ANCOVA showed no significant Group × Time interaction effect for the different PA variables between the MIG and PG. Also no differences emerged between PG and DG. As hypothesized, CoachG had higher PA values throughout the intervention compared with DG. Self-monitoring using a pedometer resulted in more steps compared with a no-feedback condition at the start of the intervention. However, adding individualized coaching seems necessary to increase the PA level until the end of the intervention.
Highlights
The goal of physical activity (PA) interventions is to help participants change their behavior, for example, by modifying their beliefs, attitudes or knowledge of the behavior [1]
The present study investigated the weekly changes in PA using different degrees of measurement feedback and the added value of need-supportive coaching on PA
The randomized controlled trial revealed a higher adjusted step count during the first week of the intervention for the Pedometer Group (PG) compared with the MIG
Summary
The goal of physical activity (PA) interventions is to help participants change their behavior (i.e., increase their PA participation), for example, by modifying their beliefs, attitudes or knowledge of the behavior [1]. The largest health benefits have been observed in insufficiently active people who start doing regular moderate exercise [1]. Public health policies should focus on encouraging those who are insufficiently active to become moderately active. Those who do not engage in regular PA should begin by incorporating PA into their day, building up gradually to 30 min of moderate intensity activity per day. Moderate intensity PA might be easier to begin with and will be more likely to be continued regularly than vigorous PA [2,3,4,5].
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