The effects of physical fitness testing on behavioral intention and on physical activity behavior

Mini-Oral Presentation C2.17

Abstract

Background: Physical activity can increase physical fitness, improving overall health. It has been suggested positive changes in behavioral intentions can lead to a positive behavior change. However, assessing participant’s changes in behavior intentions and changes in physical activity behavior after performing a fitness assessment has yet to be studied. Purpose: To evaluate changes in behavioral intentions and changes in physical activity behavior over time after performing and receiving the results of a fitness assessment. Methods: The sample began with 28 undergraduate students (14 females, median age 21.75 years), though only 17 participants were able to complete the full study due to Covid-19. The intervention included performing a fitness assessment and receiving the results of the assessment which included measures of percent body fat via a DXA scan, total hand grip strength score via a hand grip dynamometer, sit-and-reach score via a sit-and-reach box, maximum number of push-ups performed, and estimated VO2max using the Bruce Protocol. Behavior intention surveys, which included assessing the current stage of change in the Transtheoretical Model for physical activity, were completed pre (time 1)/post (time 2) intervention and four weeks post intervention (time 3). Accelerometers were worn on the non-dominant wrist for one week after the intervention (time 2) and was repeated four weeks later (time 3) to obtain Counts per Minutes (CPM) and average steps per day. Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank tests were conducted to detect differences in intention levels, CPM, and average steps per day across the different time points. Results: Changes in intentions to perform physical activity were observed from time 1 to time 2 (p<0.001) with an increase of participants answering “I have started making healthier choices (i.e. increasing physical activity).” But, no significant changes occurred from time 2 to time 3 (p = 0.18). There was also no significant change (p = 0.94) for CPM from time 2- 2240.0 (1235.5) to time 3- 1988.0 (1235.5). Lastly, there was no significant change (p = 0.46) in average steps per day from time 2- 10,796.2 (1048.8) to time 3- 10,989.0 (900.5). Conclusion: The evidence supports fitness assessment interventions are effective for changing intentions to increase physical activity, but not physical activity behavior. Thus, changing intentions to perform physical activity alone may not be sufficient for changing physical activity behavior after a fitness assessment intervention. Due to the limitation of a small sample size, future studies should confirm these findings in a larger sample size and continue to evaluate behavior change strategies to increase physical activity. Funding: Study funded by the University of Arkansas Honor’s College through the Honor’s College Team Grant, Honors Equipment Grant, and Honor’s Student Research Grant.