Associations between visual attention, implicit and explicit attitude and behaviour for physical activity

Abstract

The current study explored associations between previous physical activity and both implicit and explicit attitudes, as well as visual attention and activity motivation (intention). Analyses were performed on participants initially unaware of the physical activity focus of the study (N=98). Higher levels of physical activity were associated with positive implicit attitudes and an attentional bias toward exercise cues. There was a quadratic ('U' shaped) relationship between implicit attitude and attention: the more extreme individuals' implicit attitudes toward exercise (positive or negative) the greater their attentional bias to exercise cues. Furthermore, explicit attitude moderated the relationship between attentional bias and physical activity: attentional bias to exercise cues was associated with higher levels of physical activity only for those who had a strong positive explicit attitude. Findings suggested that implicit cognitions are linked with previous physical activity. Future research should consider strategies for strengthening positive implicit and explicit attitudes and directing attention to cues signalling healthy behaviour.

Implicit Attitudes and Explicit Motivation Prospectively Predict Physical Activity

“…Studies week physical activity to implicit evaluations [27,28]; however, we believe this study is the first to demonstrate the temporal precedence of implicit attitudes in relation to objectively measured physical activity. Accumulating evidence now points to the relevance of implicit evaluative processes for understanding physical activity behavior.…”

“…A limited number of studies have examined direct links between physical activity and implicit attitudes, but those studies have focused on relations between previous physical activity and implicit attitudes. In one study, people who reported more activity over the previous week had more positive implicit attitudes toward physical activity in a laboratory session at the end of the week [28]. In another study, people who were more and less active during the previous week (assessed using interviewbased recalls and step counts) demonstrated priming (i.e., greater accessibility) of positive and negative evaluative poles, respectively, in a subsequent response latency task [27].…”

“…With respect to physical activity, implicit attitudes are also thought to orient people's attention to cues for physical activity [26][27][28]. A limited number of studies have examined direct links between physical activity and implicit attitudes, but those studies have focused on relations between previous physical activity and implicit attitudes.…”

Affective–Reflective Theory of physical inactivity and exercise

“…According to Fazio (2001) The automatic evaluation effect has been unequivocally established in experimental social psychology (De Houwer & Hermans, 2001). Only a few years ago, researchers in exercise psychology started to apply this idea in their research, exploring correlations between automatic evaluations and exercise behavior (e. g., Bluemke, Brand, Schweizer, & Kahlert, 2010;Calitri, Lowe, Eves, & Bennett, 2009).…”

The potential impact of weight status on visual attention to physical activity related cues

“…Previous research has indicated that the visual environment may affect our behaviours and choices (3) and more recently it has been suggested that physical activity information may be more effective if it targeted automatic visual attention systems (2) . To date, a limited number of studies have investigated a potential link between higher self-reported levels of physical activity and greater visual attention to physical activity related cues (4,5) however it has remains to be seen whether body weight status may also have a role. As individuals classified as being overweight or obese may be less likely to meet current physical activity recommendations than their normal weight counterparts (6) , the aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the potential impact of body weight status on the attentional processing of physical activity related visual cues.…”