Measurement scales for stages of change were developed and the stages were assessed in two specific modes of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) in a cross-sectional survey (N = 1516); representative samples were selected from three age groups, i.e. from three phases of adult life. Outdoor Aerobic Exercise (OAE) was used as an example of fitness activity; Everyday Commuting Activity (ECA) was selected to represent lifestyle physical activity. Scales used by the Prochaska team were modified for this study, and the stages of Precontemplation and Preparation were each divided into two new stages. Consistency of the stage measurement was moderate for OAE and good for ECA. As regards content validity, consistent associations were found between stage scores and contextual variables for both behaviors. The results show that, at a given time, a person can be in different stages in different modes of HEPA. Therefore, the behavior of interest must be specified before accurate information on the stages of change in a population can be obtained. The results also indicate the importance of contextual factors in HEPA promotion.
The phenomenon of maintenance of health-related physical activity is explored through an analysis of the underlying concepts and of the existing empirical evidence. The following targets were used for the analysis: (1) the concept of health-related physical activity, (2) the concept of maintenance, (3) common manifestations of maintenance in everyday living, (4) the promotional and behavioral characteristics of health-related physical activity, (5) the known determinants of free-living physical activity, and (6) intervention trials on physical activity in free-living groups. The analyses revealed the inherent resistance to adoption and maintenance of physical activity, particularly that of high-intensity and program-centered activities, the persistence, however, of many simple everyday routines and habits, the multiple determinants discovered for free-living physical activity and a few empirical demonstrations of the successful promotion of the maintenance of physical activity over a year or two. The promotion of the maintenance of health-related physical activity seems thus a distinct possibility provided that (1) the promotional situation is analyzed thoroughly, (2) the activity is chosen carefully with an emphasis on moderation in intensity and integration into the participant's life-style, (3) multiple promotional contacts are used, and (4) support from the participant's social and physical environment is provided. There is a need for more research on the maintenance of health-related physical activity using the stages of change models, behavior modification principles, self-control concepts, the concept of intrinsic motivation and the Relapse model. The method of analysis used here could apply to other health-related behaviors as well.
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