Author and graduation date: G. Russell ROWE, November, 1997

Committee members: Jeanne F. Nichols (Chair), Thomas L. McKenzie, James F. Sallis, Karen J. Calfas

Thesis title: The Effect of Behavioral Skills Training and Structured Exercise on Adherence to Physical Activity in Inactive Adults: 6-Month Follow-Up

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3 month behavioral skills training follow-up intervention on physical activity habits of inactive and low-active adults 6 months after an initial 12 week behavioral skills training intervention and 12 week structured exercise program. Fifty-eight of the original 64 subjects (mean age 42; SD = 9.7) participated in the follow-up (46 women and 12 men). Subjects had previously been randomly assigned to a control (n = 31) or intervention group (n = 27). Both groups had been given a free 9-month membership to a fitness facility and intervention subjects additionally received 12 weeks of structured exercise and behavioral skills training. During the first 3 months of the follow-up, intervention subjects received four additional behavioral skills classes to help them make a transition to self-directed physical activity. No intervention was given during the last 3 months of the follow-up. The Seven-day Physical Activity Recall (PAR) telephone interview and a Health Assessment Survey (HAS) were used to measure self-reported physical activity and related determinants of physical activity. The significance level was set at 0.10 to guard against a Type II error. Group by time repeated measure ANOVA's from PAR interview data demonstrated significant improvements for intervention subjects with a significant interaction for average daily energy expenditure (p < 0.076). Group by time repeated measures ANOVA's from the HAS data demonstrated significant interactions for : hours of TV watched per week (p < 0.096), total social support (p < 0.053), and total process of change ( p < 0.033). Intervention subjects improved more than control subjects for TV watched per week and total process of change, but controls improved more than intervention subjects for total social support. A chi-square analysis revealed a significant improvement in physical activity stage of change at week 26 for intervention subjects as compared to control subjects ( p < 0.054). The results indicated that a 3-month behavioral skills training follow-up intervention after an initial 12-week behavioral skills training and structured exercise program can help adults maintain a higher physical activity level for at least 6 months after a structured exercise program, compared to adults who receive no behavioral skills training or structured exercise.

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