Comparison of Affect-based, Self-selected, and Traditional Exercise Prescriptions

Duke University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Activity

Treatments: Behavioral: Choice-based Exercise Intensity; Behavioral: Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity; Behavioral: Positive Affect Focus

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03047590

D0991

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate adherence to four types of walking programs. Participants will be randomized to walking programs that included either (1) affect-based exercise intensity, (2) self-selected (or "choice-based") exercise intensity, (3) heart-rate based exercise intensity, or (4) heart-rate guided exercise intensity with the emphasis on affective benefits.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to determine if an "affect-based" or "choice-based" exercise prescription is more effective for behavior change than a traditional, "moderate-intensity" exercise prescription. Prior research suggests that "choice-based" or "self-selected" exercise intensity is more pleasant and adhered to than "moderate-intensity exercise" (Williams et al., 2014). Similarly, affect-based exercise prescriptions (i.e., an exercise prescription where intensity is regulated based on the pleasure-displeasure one feels while exercising) appear to have merit (Baldwin, Kangas, Denman, Smits, Yamada, & Otto, 2016).

However, choice-based and affect-based exercise prescriptions have not been compared to each other. Further, it is unknown if it is the intensity regulation that matters (e.g., "choose an intensity that feels good" or the focus on affect (e.g., "focus on feeling good). Third, prior research has not objectively measured physical activity behavior.

Enrollment: 159 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Must be fluent in English
• Must be able to walk
• Exercise less than 90 minutes per week at a moderate-intensity
• Must be able to attend laboratory visits
• Must have mobile internet accent and a personal smartphone (iPhone iOS 9+ or Android OS 4.3+)
• Can safely exercise at an intensity that is at least "moderate"

Exclusion criteria

• People who are recommended to have medical clearance prior to exercising, according to the American College of Sports Medicine's preparticipation screening criteria, will be excluded

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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159 participants in 4 patient groups

Choice-No Affect

Experimental group

Description:

These participants self-select (i.e., choose) their exercise intensity with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. For safety reasons, they are instructed not to exceed 59% of their heart rate reserve. This is choice-based exercise intensity with no focus on positive affect.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Choice-based Exercise Intensity

Choice-Affect

Experimental group

Description:

These participants self-select their exercise intensity with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. They're instructed to choose the intensity that makes them feel the best. For safety reasons, they are instructed not to exceed 59% of their heart rate reserve. This is choice-based exercise intensity with a focus on positive affect.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Positive Affect Focus

Behavioral: Choice-based Exercise Intensity

No Choice-Affect

Experimental group

Description:

These participants regulate their exercise intensity using their heart rate, with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. The intensity is "moderate" according to the American College of Sports Medicine (40-59% of their heart rate reserve). Meanwhile, these participants are instructed to focus on the "good feelings" that come with exercise. this is heart rate-based exercise intensity with a focus on positive affect.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Positive Affect Focus

Behavioral: Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity

No Choice-No Affect

Active Comparator group

Description:

These participants regulate their exercise intensity using their heart rate, with the goal of walking 30-60 minutes on most days of the week. The intensity is "moderate" according to the American College of Sports Medicine (40-59% of their heart rate reserve). This is heart rate-based exercise intensity with no focus on positive affect.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity