Claudio R. Nigg

Interactive communication strategies - Implications for population-based physical-activity promotion

Physical inactivity is a recognized independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, a large proportion of the U.S. population does not participate in regular physical activity, and research has shown that without intervention, most people remain sedentary. Thus, an urgent need exists for developing effective interventions to promote physical-activity adoption and maintenance. Additionally, it is important that these interventions can be disseminated to the large population of sedentary individuals. To be disseminable, physical-activity interventions must move beyond reliance on strictly face-to-face modes and begin to more fully use newer technologies, such as the Internet. This article summarizes the progress made in promoting physical activity with interactive communications. We also delineate areas for future research.

Does the transtheoretical model need an attitude adjustment?: Integrating attitude with decisional balance as predictors of stage of change for exercise

Abstract Objectives. To compare conceptually similar decision-making components from the theory of planned behavior (attitude) and the transtheoretical model (pros and cons) to determine the extent to which attitude towards exercise adds to the prediction of stage of exercise behavior beyond that of pros and cons. Method. A sample of college undergraduates (N=223) were given stage of change, attitude and decisional balance measures regarding their exercise behavior. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the underlying measurement structure of the decision-making components, while a series of discriminant function analyses (DFAs) was performed using a combination of pros, cons, and cognitive and affective attitudes as predictors of membership in one of the five stages of change. Results. SEM determined that a correlated four-factor model, which included pros and cons and two attitude subscales, provided the best fit to the data. The DFAs revealed that the addition of attitude components to pros and cons significantly increased the overall explained variance across the stages of change from 32% to 56%, and improved the predictive ability of pros and cons from 31.2% to 48.2%. Conclusions. Although conceptually related, pros, cons and attitude were not closely linked at a construct-measurement level. Furthermore, the addition of attitude to pros and cons increased the overall explained variance across stages of change and improved the predictive ability of pros and cons alone. The measurement model and DFA results taken in combination strongly suggest that the addition of cognitive and affective attitudes may strengthen the decision-making aspect of the transtheoretical model.

Validating Motivational Readiness for Exercise Behavior with Adolescents

Abstract The stages of motivational readiness as conceptualized by the Transtheoretical Model have been widely used among adult samples to assess readiness for adopting exercise behavior. To date, little research has been conducted using a staging framework with adolescent samples. There is a need for validation of the staging framework prior to a substantial amount of research with this age group. The current article presents two studies assessing stage and reported exercise behavior (Study 1: n = 819; M age = 15.0 years, SD = 1.2; 51 % men; Study 2: n = 184; M age = 18.6 years, SD = .5; 45 % men). As hypothesized in both studies, reported exercise consistently varied as a function of stage classification; those in earlier stages of readiness reported less exercise than those in later stages. Staging algorithms showed good sensitivity to detect reported exercise; however, specificity was distinctly better with the algorithm that used a specific activity criterion and immediate intention, as opposed to irregular behavior, in defining the preparation stage. Results support the validity of the staging framework for measuring motivational readiness for exercise behavior among North American adolescents.

A missing piece of the transtheoretical model applied to exercise: Development and validation of the temptation to not exercise scale

Abstract Building upon previous research examining the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1986), this paper presents two studies on the development and validation of a Temptation To Not Exercise Scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses results showed evidence of two factors, labeled Affect and Competing Demands, which had adequate internal consistency scores. Additional validity of the temptation constructs was demonstrated by the significant decrease of the Affect and Competing Demands scores across the stages of change and the negative relationship between self-efficacy and the Affect and Competing Demands scores. The Temptation to Not Exercise Scale may represent a useful component in the application of the Transtheoretical Model to help understand, predict, and explain exercise behavior.

A Simple Reinforcement Strategy for Increasing Attendance at a Fitness Facility

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a previously untested reinforcement strategy (i.e., 1 months free membership) on attendance at a fitness facility. Participants were paying members of a fitness facility randomly assigned to control (n = 100), placebo (n = 100), and reinforcement (n = 100) conditions. The control condition received no intervention; the placebo condition received a letter by mail; and the reinforcement condition received the same letter by mail, except that it included an additional paragraph instructing them that they could earn 1 months free membership if they attended the fitness facility at least 12 times in the next month. Attendance was monitored for I month baseline and postintervention by using the facilitys computer system. Analysis of variance, t tests, and chi-square analysis all revealed that the reinforcement condition had the best attendance record during the intervention period. These preliminary results shed some light on increasing attendance at a fitness facility. Discussion highlighted the practical implications of the findings and offered directions for future research.

Examining the Structure of Physical Self-Description Using an American University Sample

esearchers have argued for the construction of mulR tidimensional exercise and sport measures that are theoretically based and psychometrically sound (e.g., Gill, Dzewaltowski & Deeter, 1988). One construct that has received considerable attention in assessment development and refinement is physical selfconcept, defined as descriptions of attributes and roles of one’s physical self (Fox, 1998; Marsh, 1996; Sonstroem, 1997). Historically, measurement of physical selfconcept was primarily unidimensional (e.g., Feltz & Brown, 1984). However, physical selfconcept cannot be properly understood if its multidimensionality is ignored (Marsh & Shavelson, 1985). Multidimensional selfconcept instruments allow for different selfconcepts to have varying effects on general selfeduations (e.g., Sonstroem, Harlow, & Josephs, 1994). For example, one individual may place importance on sport competence to define the physical self, whereas another may emphasize physical appearance. Several multidimensional selfconcept instruments have been developed (e.g., Fox & Corbin, 1989; Marsh, Richards, Johnson, Roche, & Tremayne, 1994; Physical Self-perception Profile; Physical Self-Description Questionnaire). The broadest published instrument is the recently developed Physical Self-Description Questionnaire

Self-efficacy, decisional balance and the stages of change for smoking cessation in a German sample

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has been shown to be a powerful basis for describing and explaining behavior change and designing effective interventions. Previous research has documented its usefulness in the context of smoking cessation as well as other areas but predominantly in US samples. The goal of this study was to provide further data on the applicability of the TTM and the relationship of some of its core constructs (stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance) in a German sample of smokers and ex-smokers. Participants (N = 401) were ever-smokers (age M = 47 years, range 35-65, 62% male) who participated in a health check-up for cardiovascular risk factors at their general practitioners office. For current smokers, significant differences in the number of quit attempts across the stages of change supported the criterion validity of the staging algorithm; differences in number of cigarettes per day were non-significant. Self-efficacy for non-smoking behavior showed an almost linear incre...