Exercise Habit & MPAC

Facilitating an Exercise Habit and Identity Via the Multi-Process Action Control Model- A Randomized-Controlled Trial

The limitations of applying social cognitive models to understand physical activity (PA) have led to the emergence of several new PA models within the past decade. The Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) is a comprehensive PA model that proposes intention is established from outcome expectations, perceived capability, and opportunity, then the success of translating this to behavior depends on affective judgments and behavioral-regulation. Over time, M-PAC proposes that behavior is can become maintained through the formation of identity and habit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trajectory of change of these M-PAC constructs across time in a randomized controlled trial. Participants (n=85) were inactive new gym members and were randomized into a control (n=41) or intervention (n=44) group. The intervention group attended a workshop and received a booster phone call follow-up at week four. Measures for both groups included accelerometry and M-PAC at baseline and eight week follow-up.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Public Health
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Facilitating an Exercise Habit and Identity via the Multi-Process Action Control Model- A Randomized-Controlled Trial

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 85
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults 18-65
• new gym members
• exercising < 150 minutes/week at a moderate to vigorous level

Exclusion Criteria:

• not affiliated with a gym or recreation center
• exercising > 150 minutes/week at a moderate to vigorous level
• clinical health conditions (assessed by the PAR-Q)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control; No Intervention: Control Participants exercised on their own without receiving any instructions.
Experimental: Intervention; Those who were randomized into the intervention group attended a workshop where the PI delivered a presentation that focused on establishing a preparatory exercise habit by using the M-PAC approach and proposed habit model. Participants were then provided with instructions on completing their exercise plan sheet.	Behavioral: Facilitating an Exercise Habit and Identity via the Multi-Process Action Control Model- A Randomized-Controlled Trial; Participants attended a workshop which consisted of a presentation and an exercise planning exercise.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
GT3X+ Actigraph Activity Monitors (for measuring physical activity)	Participants wear accelerometers for one week at baseline and at week eight to record their physical activity.	Baseline to 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
1.Self-Report Behavioural Automaticity Index (self report, survey question	The Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index (SRBAI) was used to assess preparatory habit. The SRBAI consists of 4 items on a 5-point Likert scale with 1 being strongly disagree to 5 being strongly agree. The question stem stated ''When I prepare to exercise…'' which was then followed by four items on the scale: ''I do it without having to consciously remember'', ''I do it automatically'', ''I do it without thinking'', and ''I start before I realize I am doing it''.	Baseline, week four, week eight

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Environmental Cues (self report, survey question)	The following item was used to assess if participants implemented the use of cues: "I use cues at home to remind me to exercise (e.g. placing a water bottle on my desk or gym clothes on the bed). The item was rated on a five point Likert scale which ranged from "1=strongly disagree" to "5= strongly agree".	Baseline, week four, week eight
Temporal Consistency (self report, survey question)	The item was worded "How consistently do you exercise at the same time each day? (e.g., exercising every morning at 7 am, or exercising daily after supper)". The question was asked on a five point Likert scale which range from "1=not consistent at all" to "5=very consistent".	Baseline, week four, week eight

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Victoria
• Investigators: Study Chair: Ryan E Rhodes, PhD, University of Victoria

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): December 3, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 3, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2020
• Last Verified: November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: AT956