The development of a record keeping system for daily physical fitness maintenance

There is sufficient evidence to support the beliefthat habitual physical, activity enhances the physical and psychological well-being of individuals (16). It is typical to expect a 40 to 50 percent drop out rate within six months to one year after beginning an exercise Program (15).The purpose of developing a record keeping system is to increase motivation through extrinsic factors and aid in compliance in the Adult Fitness Programs at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.The record keeping system will be designed to include the following: 1. A weekly mileage chart 2.Run/walk charts 3. Pre and post fitness evaluation results. 4.The Basic Twelve stretching Routine 5. Long and short term goals 6. A variety of fitness-related information called "FIT BITS" 7. A place to record the participants: target and daily heart rates, number of miles completed each day, weather conditions, and general comments.Dishman (16) reported that the level of self-motivation is postively related to exercise adherence. This Record keeping system will serve as a motivational tool placing an extrinsic force on participants who are low self-motivators. This will then increase adherence to the exercise program. The record keeping system will also serve as an educational tool. Each week of the system will offer a different topic of fitness related information.