This web-based experimental study aims to ascertain whether promoting an active (i.e. conscious and autonomous) choice process about physical activity results in better behavioural outcomes (e.g. physical activity) and psychological outcomes (e.g. physical activity intention) compared to promoting a passive choice process in physically inactive adults.
In this web-based experimental study, the investigators will use a pre-test post-test four-arm parallel design to compare the effect of promoting an active choice process versus a passive choice process about physical activity on behavioural outcomes (e.g. physical activity behaviour, perceived increase in physical activity) and psychological outcomes (e.g. physical activity intention, commitment) among physically inactive adults. Participants will be randomized to one of four groups. Participants in group GA+ will be encouraged to make a very active choice by weighing advantages and disadvantages of physical activity, considering personal values, identifying barriers and engaging in action and coping planning. The intervention for group GA is similar, but lacks the action and coping planning exercises. In the other two groups, a passive choice process will be promoted by only providing information: Group G will read the national physical activity guideline and group GI will read the guideline and information about possible advantages and disadvantages and barriers to physical activity. Behavioural and psychological outcomes will be assessed at the first measurement and follow-up measurement. Regression analyses will be performed to examine intergroup differences. In addition, sensitivity analyses and a process evaluation will be performed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
564
Web-based intervention consisting of information and assignments, including: completing a decision balance sheet; indicating the importance of personal values and the time, effort and energy spent on these personal values; action planning; identifying barriers to physical activity; coping planning
Web-based intervention consisting of information and several assignments, including: completing a decision balance sheet; indicating the importance of personal values and the time, effort and energy spent on these personal values; identifying barriers to physical activity.
VUMedicalCenter
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Intention
Intention to become more physically active (yes/no), assessed by a questionnaire
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Physical activity
Physical activity levels (MET minutes per week), assessed by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
Time frame: Change from baseline at approximately 18 days
Sitting time
Sitting time (minutes per day), assessed by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
Time frame: Change from baseline at approximately 18 days
Perceived change in physical activity compared to baseline
Questionnaire item: Participants' self-perceived change in physical between baseline and follow-up. Dichotomous outcome (change/no change).
Time frame: Change from baseline at approximately 18 days
Intention strength
Questionnaire item: scale 0 (no strong intention) - 10 (very strong intention). a higher score indicates higher intention strength.
Time frame: Change from day 0, at approximately 18 days
Active choice
Degree to which an active choice is made; a composite score of 9 items on a scale of 1 (totally not agree) - 5 (totally agree); a higher score indicates a more active choice.
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Autonomous choice
Degree to which an autonomous choice is made; 2 items on a scale of 1 - 10. For the first item, a higher score indicates a more autonomous choice, whereas for the second item, a higher score indicates a less autonomous choice.
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Web-based information about the national physical activity guideline, pros and cons of physical activity, and possible barriers to physical activity.
Web-based information about the national physical activity guideline.
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Commitment
Commitment to become more physically active; 1 item on a scale of 0 (no commitment) - 10 (high commitment). A higher score indicates higher commitment.
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Commitment
Commitment to become more physically active; 1 item on a scale of 0 (no commitment) - 10 (high commitment). A higher score indicates higher commitment.
Time frame: Change from day 0, at approximately 18 days follow-up
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy to become more physically active; 2 items on a scale of 1 (no self-efficacy) - 10 (high self-efficacy). A higher score indicates more self-efficacy.
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy to become more physically active; 2 items on a scale of 1 (no self-efficacy) - 10 (high self-efficacy). A higher score indicates more self-efficacy.
Time frame: Change from day 0, at approximately 18 days follow-up
Satisfaction about one's plan
Degree of satisfaction with one's plan to become or not become more physically active on a scale of 1 (no satisfaction) to 10 (high satisfaction).
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Alignment of choice with personal values
Extent to which one's plan to become/ not become more physically active corresponds with what one considers important; 1 item on a scale of 1 (no alignment) - 10 (high alignment)
Time frame: Directly after the intervention (Day 0)
Perceived advantages and disadvantages of physical activity
Open-ended questions about the perceived advantages and disadvantages of one's current physical activity behavior, and of increasing physical activity.
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Value of health
Importance of the value 'health', on a scale of 1 (not important at all) to 10 (very important), and the time, effort and energy spent on health on a scale of 1 (no time, effort and energy) to 10 (very much time, effort and energy)
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Values influencing physical activity
The extent to which the following values impact one's physical activity levels on a scale of 1 (no influence) to 10 (high influence): responsibility, achievement, pleasure, family, friendships, balance.
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Plans to change physical activity
Open-ended questions about the preferred kind of physical activity, frequency, location, days and start date.
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Perceived barriers to physical activity
Open-ended question asking about perceived barriers to physical activity
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Plans to cope with perceived barriers
Open-ended questions about the ways one could cope with each perceived barriers
Time frame: During intervention (Day 0)
Factors supporting physical activity
Question about the factors that supported or would support physical activity. Multiple choice question.
Time frame: Follow-up; approximately 18 days after the intervention (day 0)
Barriers to physical activity
Question about the barriers that hindered physical activity in the past two weeks. Multiple choice question.
Time frame: Follow-up; approximately 18 days after the intervention (day 0)