Abstract:
Recent research has shown a significant decrease in physical activity (PA) during college,
therefore putting students at a higher risk of health complications (Calestine et al., 2017).
Gourlan and colleagues (2019) suggested that a two-step intervention that first targets the
motivational factors to increase PA intentions and then volitional factors to translate intention to
PA behavior may be effective at increasing PA intention and behavior. The present study aimed
to investigate the effectiveness of this two-step intervention among college students. It also
aimed to integrate a participant’s desire to change using the Transtheoretical Model (DiClemente
et al., 1991) and measure PA objectively. Sixty-three college students were recruited from a
lifetime physical activity walking course and assigned to one of four conditions: motivational
intervention only, volitional intervention only, combined motivational plus volitional
intervention, or control. Subjective PA and the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs (i.e.,
attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and intention) were measured at baseline,
mid-intervention (week 4), and post-intervention (week 7). There was no significant main effect
of condition on intention or PA behavior. A significant main effect of time on intention emerged,
revealing a decrease in intention from baseline to post-intervention. The time by condition
interaction effect was not significant. Finally, there were no significant differences in intention or
PA behavior between participants in the contemplation or preparation stage of the
transtheoretical model, compared to those in the precontemplation, action, or maintenance
stages. These results suggest that a two-step intervention is unsuccessful at increasing exercise
intention and behavior in college students. Limitations of this study include a small sample size
and participants meeting PA recommendations at baseline, limiting potential effects of the
interventions. Further research investigating the efficacy of the two-step intervention is
warranted in a sedentary population.
