Author and graduation date: Elizabeth F. WELLMAN, February, 1997

Committee members: Jeanne Nichols (Chair), Patricia Patterson, Judy Price, Karen Calfas

Thesis title: The Effect of A 12-Week Behavioral Skills Training Program on Exercise Adoption in Inactive Adults

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week behavioral skills training course that included a structured exercise program on physical activity habits and stage of change of inactive adults. Sixty-four subjects (46 women and 13 men) mean age 42 years (SD = 9.7), recruited from a southern California corporation, were randomly assigned to either control (n = 32) or intervention ( n = 32) groups. Control subjects were given a free membership to a fitness facility, while intervention subjects received 12 weeks (once weekly) of informal behavior skills training classes at the work site plus a free, structured aerobic and strength program at the same fitness facility. Attendance at the intervention course was a consistent 85%, and program attrition rate was 8%. The Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall telephone interview assessed total weekly energy expenditure, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and strength and flexibility at 0 and 12 weeks. A Health Assessment Survey assessed physical activity stage of change at 0 and 12 weeks. Repeated measures ANOVAs demonstrated strong interaction effects on average daily expenditure (p = 0.06), significant group (p = 0.04), and the time effects (p = .008) for moderate activity, and significant time effects for vigorous activity (p=.001). Strength and flexibility showed no significant changes. Adoption of regular activity over time and increases in energy expenditure coincided with 83% of all subjects moving into preparation, action, or maintenance stages. After 3 months, 61% of intervention subjects were meeting CDC moderate activity guidelines, and 50% were meeting ACSM vigorous activity guidelines. By encouraging moderate activity, fitness program directors who implement behavior skills with a structured exercise program can help low active participants achieve health benefits. Activity level increases and stage of change improvement were also seen in the control group, indicating that besides behavior skills, influences such as season, exercise intention and volunteering may also affect activity habits.

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