Effects of a planning intervention on physical activity behavior in an RCT: Intention strength as moderator and action planning, coping planning, and coping self-efficacy as mediators.

Abstract

Planning is an effective strategy to translate intentions into behavior, and planning interventions can facilitate behavior change. The present study aimed to examine when and how a planning intervention facilitates physical activity. Therefore, the moderating role of intention strength and the mediating role of the specificity of action plans, coping plans, as well as coping self-efficacy were investigated. Furthermore, intention strength was tested as a moderator of the mediation effect. Hypotheses were examined based on a randomized controlled trial (N ϭ 107 students) with 2 groups (planning group vs. control group) and pretest (t1) and posttest (t2) with a 1-week interval. Participants in the planning group increased their physical activity level between t1 and t2 significantly more than those in the control group. The interaction Group ϫ Intention was significant, indicating that intention was a significant predictor of physical activity behavior (t2) not in the planning group but in the control group. Across both groups, the mediation effects were moderated by intention strength. Participants with stronger physical activity intentions showed stronger (action planning and coping self-efficacy) or weaker (coping planning) mediation effects compared with participants with weaker physical activity intentions. In the comprehensive model, only the mediation effect of coping planning was moderated by intention. Our results highlight the moderating role of intention in the context of a planning intervention and revealed that the direct and mediation effects depend on the level of intention strength. Moderated mediation provides a better understanding of when and how a planning intervention works.

Effectiveness of gender-targeted versus gender-neutral interventions aimed at improving dietary intake, physical activity and/or overweight/obesity in young adults (aged 17–35 years): a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Martens et al reported + 0.7 days/week and + 35mins/week of completing vigorous PA at 1-month follow-up in participants who received a single session motivational intervention versus a standard educational brochure [ 66 ]. In studies by Bray et al and Pfeffer et al participants reported +78mins/week and + 0.86 h/week greater MVPA at 6-weeks and 1-week follow up respectively, following single session interventions which focused on action planning for PA versus no/alternative intervention control [ 63 , 69 ]. Conner et al and Cooke et al found single session interventions involving affective messaging and self-affirmation around physical activity behaviours were effective compared with no intervention and non-affirmation at 3 and 1-week follow-up respectively, however actual change in time spent completing PA were not reported [ 64 , 65 ].…”

“…Of the 21 gender-neutral studies, 14 were effective (67%). Seven studies (54%) demonstrated significant changes in time completing PA [63][64][65][66][67][68][69], three and two studies demonstrated significant changes in exercise frequency [66,70,71] and steps per day respectively [72,73], and one study each for gym attendance [74], meeting physical activity guidelines [75], and physical activity score [76]. Martens et al reported + 0.7 days/week and + 35mins/week of completing vigorous PA at 1-month follow-up in participants who received a single session motivational intervention versus a standard educational brochure [66].…”

Influence of a Planning Intervention on Physical Activity Behavior: the Moderating Role of Intentions and Executive Functions in a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Participants of the control group read a text from a popular scientific journal without reference to PA behavior in the presence of the experimenter for about 15 min [ 21 ].…”

“…The coping planning scale was introduced by the words “I have made detailed plans regarding...,” followed by 4 items (e.g., “...what to do if something intervenes”). A mean value for coping planning was calculated from the 4 items, and the higher the score, the more specific the individual’s plans in terms of how to cope with difficulties and how to overcome obstacles [ 21 ]. The analyses revealed good (Cronbach’s alpha; action planning, α = 0.88; coping planning, α = 0.84) to very good (total planning score, α = 0.91) internal consistencies for both scales.…”

“…Meta-analyses have concluded that the overall effect of planning interventions for increasing PA is small to medium, with greater effects documented when coping planning complements action planning [ 7 , 19 , 20 ]. In a recent planning intervention study, Pfeffer and Strobach [ 21 ] showed that the effect of a planning intervention on PA behavior over 1 week was mediated by self-reported planning (i.e., the level of details in the participant’s plans) measured in a follow-up. However, having an intention for PA behavior and generating action as well as coping plans does not necessarily bridge the intention–behavior gap [ 7 ].…”