Physical activity and behaviour change: the role of distributed motivation

Abstract

Physical inactivity levels are rising globally. In response, public health investigators have sought to design and implement effective interventions to raise levels of physical activity in populations, communities and individuals. Usually, such interventions are built around theories of behaviour change in which notions of motivation and incentivisation loom large. Drawing on focus group evidence derived in the context of a cluster RCT aimed at increasing levels of physical activity in the workplace, this paper offers a critical look at the factors that seemingly stimulate and sustain that activity. In particular, using novel methods of data analysis we illustrate how motives and motivation-often interpreted as a driving force 'in' individuals-can be more usefully seen as distributed; as a property of systems (incorporating technologies, organisational structures, and social interaction) rather than of persons. In our discussion we outline various theoretical as well as empirical grounds for making such claims and conclude by drawing out the implications of our work for public health policy and research.

Predicting Outcomes from Engagement With Specific Components of an Internet-Based Physical Activity Intervention With Financial Incentives: Process Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, participants mainly used this component to make queries and report technological issues. This may indicate that participant frustration with some perceived limitations of the intervention, which were highlighted in a separate qualitative process evaluation [71], contributed to the overall negative impact on physical activity. A previous study finding negative intervention effects on physical activity behavior concluded that reduced support for the intervention over time was a contributing factor and cited similar reasons (eg, lack of variety in activities resulting in participant boredom and restrictions on the availability of time or space) [72].…”

“…A possible explanation for the negative association of discussion forum use with 6-month physical activity was that rather than making use of these forums to build social support for physical activity, participants generally used them as platforms to make queries or raise concerns. Therefore, it appears that the decline in physical activity behavior at 6 months for intervention group participants was due, at least in part, to participant dissatisfaction with some perceived study limitations (eg, technical glitches and limited financial rewards and physical activity opportunities for which rewards could be earned), which emerged in a separate qualitative process evaluation [71]. Levels of intrinsic motivation were not associated with the percentage of rewards redeemed or with the frequency of accessing the reward component of the website.…”

Mechanisms of physical activity behavior change in an incentive-based intervention: Mediation analysis.

“…throughout the trial, there was austerity related re-structuring of the local authorities and within the civil service which resulted in upheaval or uncertainty about job location and security for some participants in the intervention and control groups); (3) The impact of perceived implementation limitations (e.g. instances when sensors incorrectly recorded physical activity; vouchers which were lacking in variety, with inconvenient expiration dates) highlighted by participants during focus groups may have led to some participants becoming frustrated (Gough et al, 2018;Murray et al, 2019).…”

Outcome Expectations for Exercise and Decisional Balance Questionnaires Predict Adherence and Efficacy of Exercise Programs in Dialysis Patients

“…It is well documented that behavior change interventions are drawn from psychological models of human behavior [16]. Samdal et al [17] support the use of goal setting and self-monitoring of behavior when promoting change in physical activity.…”