Comparison of Affect-based, Self-selected, and Traditional Exercise Prescriptions

July 6, 2018 updated by: Zachary, Duke University
This study will evaluate adherence to four types of walking programs. Participants will be randomized to walking programs that included either (1) affect-based exercise intensity, (2) self-selected (or "choice-based") exercise intensity, (3) heart-rate based exercise intensity, or (4) heart-rate guided exercise intensity with the emphasis on affective benefits.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if an "affect-based" or "choice-based" exercise prescription is more effective for behavior change than a traditional, "moderate-intensity" exercise prescription. Prior research suggests that "choice-based" or "self-selected" exercise intensity is more pleasant and adhered to than "moderate-intensity exercise" (Williams et al., 2014). Similarly, affect-based exercise prescriptions (i.e., an exercise prescription where intensity is regulated based on the pleasure-displeasure one feels while exercising) appear to have merit (Baldwin, Kangas, Denman, Smits, Yamada, & Otto, 2016).

However, choice-based and affect-based exercise prescriptions have not been compared to each other. Further, it is unknown if it is the intensity regulation that matters (e.g., "choose an intensity that feels good" or the focus on affect (e.g., "focus on feeling good). Third, prior research has not objectively measured physical activity behavior.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

159

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27701
        • Duke University IBRC Lab

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Must be fluent in English
  • Must be able to walk
  • Exercise less than 90 minutes per week at a moderate-intensity
  • Must be able to attend laboratory visits
  • Must have mobile internet accent and a personal smartphone (iPhone iOS 9+ or Android OS 4.3+)
  • Can safely exercise at an intensity that is at least "moderate"

Exclusion Criteria:

  • People who are recommended to have medical clearance prior to exercising, according to the American College of Sports Medicine's preparticipation screening criteria, will be excluded

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Choice-No Affect
These participants self-select (i.e., choose) their exercise intensity with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. For safety reasons, they are instructed not to exceed 59% of their heart rate reserve. This is choice-based exercise intensity with no focus on positive affect.
Behavioral: Choice-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to choose whichever intensity they want, rather than regulate their intensity based on heart rate.
Experimental: Choice-Affect
These participants self-select their exercise intensity with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. They're instructed to choose the intensity that makes them feel the best. For safety reasons, they are instructed not to exceed 59% of their heart rate reserve. This is choice-based exercise intensity with a focus on positive affect.
Behavioral: Choice-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to choose whichever intensity they want, rather than regulate their intensity based on heart rate.
Behavioral: Positive Affect Focus
Participants are instructed to focus on feeling good while exercising.
Experimental: No Choice-Affect
These participants regulate their exercise intensity using their heart rate, with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. The intensity is "moderate" according to the American College of Sports Medicine (40-59% of their heart rate reserve). Meanwhile, these participants are instructed to focus on the "good feelings" that come with exercise. this is heart rate-based exercise intensity with a focus on positive affect.
Behavioral: Positive Affect Focus
Participants are instructed to focus on feeling good while exercising.
Behavioral: Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to regulate their exercise intensity based on their heart rate.
Active Comparator: No Choice-No Affect
These participants regulate their exercise intensity using their heart rate, with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. The intensity is "moderate" according to the American College of Sports Medicine (40-59% of their heart rate reserve). This is heart rate-based exercise intensity with no focus on positive affect.
Behavioral: Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to regulate their exercise intensity based on their heart rate.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in objectively measured exercise behavior
Time Frame: This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)
Minutes per week of objectively measured exercise behavior.
This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in self-reported exercise behavior
Time Frame: This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)
Minutes per week of self-reported exercise behavior that is reported using exercise log.
This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)
Change in affective attitudes
Time Frame: Measured during baseline assessment period and at the end of the intervention
Affective attitudes toward exercise
Measured during baseline assessment period and at the end of the intervention
Self-reported intrinsic motivation (questionnaires)
Time Frame: Two weeks into study intervention
Intrinsic motivation for exercise program
Two weeks into study intervention
Enjoyment
Time Frame: Measured at the end of the intervention period (4 weeks)
Enjoyment of exercise program.
Measured at the end of the intervention period (4 weeks)
Change in weight
Time Frame: Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).
Body weight
Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).
Change in resting heart rate
Time Frame: Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).
Resting heart rate
Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Duke University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 21, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 29, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

March 29, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 2, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 6, 2017

First Posted (Estimate)

February 9, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 9, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 6, 2018

Last Verified

July 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • D0991

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The investigators retain ownership of all study data, but are willing to share anonymized data for transparency purposes at the conclusion of the study. Data may be requested by contacting the Principal Investigator.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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