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Abstract

Abstract:Interventions promoting various health enhancing behaviours such as physical activity and exercise have tended to lack the rigorous use of theory in both their design and implementation. The purpose of this review paper is to outline the stages involved in the development of a theory-based intervention. The paper highlights how the field has evolved to meet its ultimate goal; a solid scientific base. Steps including theory use, intervention techniques and technique taxonomies are outlined. The paper also addresses various considerations that have to be taken into account for valid interventions to be achieved. Key words: interventions; promotion; exercise. A 'theoretical' approach to behaviour changeUnderpinning behaviour change interventions with a theoretical base significantly improves the effectiveness of such interventions in comparison to those that do not utilise theory to inform intervention design (Taylor, Conner, & Lawton, 2012). As such, interventions should be developed using theoretical insights from behavioural psychology. Atheoretical interventions tend to focus on the techniques to be utilised whereas theoretical approaches initially target the processes involved in change and then identify suitable techniques to achieve the change (Gourlan et al., 2015). When processes are highlighted using non-theoretical designs, an intuitive or 'logical' approach is taken to identify potential targets (i.e., the group lack sufficient efficacy beliefs to engage in exercise). Although appropriate determinants should be identified prior to intervention development, the selection and application of theory to achieve this feat is challenging for those within health psychology. In addition to theory selection, there are several other considerations that must be accounted for to develop and undertake a sound scientific intervention. Taking into account the number of limitations encountered within each consideration, the striving for a science of behaviour change is rather difficult. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of the scientific approach to changing health behaviours, such as physical activity (PA) and exercise. The paper will first highlight the various stages involved in the development and evaluation of a behaviour change intervention. Problems addressed within these stages will then be discussed. It is hoped that this commentary will provide an insight into how to develop and deliver effective theory-based interventions to promote health enhancing behaviours.