Dynamic Activity-Related Incentives for Physical Activity

The present studies adopted the theoretical framework of activityand purpose-related incentives (Rheinberg, 2008) to explain the maintenance of physical activity. We hypothesized that activityrelated incentives (e.g., “fun”) increase more than purpose-related incentives (e.g., “health”) between the initiation and maintenance phase of physical activity. Additionally, change in activity-related incentives was hypothesized to be a better predictor of maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. Two correlative field studies with rehabilitation patients (Study 1) and Nordic Walkers (Study 2) were conducted to test the hypotheses. Participants’ incentives of physical activity were measured at the beginning of exercising and two weeks (Study 1; T2) and three months (Study 2; T2) later. At T2, participants were asked for their current physical activity. Both studies showed a greater change of activity-related incentives than purpose-related incentives. Furthermore, change in activity-related incentives was more predictive of the maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. The results showed the important role of activeity-related incentives in maintenance of physical activity. The theoretical contribution to physical activity maintenance research and practical implications for health promotion programs were discussed. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.21001 Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-59682 Published Version Originally published at: Schüler, J; Brunner, S (2012). Dynamic activity-related incentives for physical activity. Advances in Physical Education, 02(01):1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.21001 Advances in Physical Education 2012. Vol.2, No.1, 1-9 Published Online February 2012 in SciRes (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ape) DOI:10.4236/ape.2012.21001 Dynamic Activity-Related Incentives for Physical Activity Julia Schüler, Sibylle Brunner University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Email: [email protected] Received December 7, 2011; revised January 15, 2012; accepted January 21, 2012 The present studies adopted the theoretical framework of activityand purpose-related incentives (Rheinberg, 2008) to explain the maintenance of physical activity. We hypothesized that activity-related incentives (e.g., “fun”) increase more than purpose-related incentives (e.g., “health”) between the initiation and maintenance phase of physical activity. Additionally, change in activity-related incentives was hypothesized to be a better predictor of maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. Two correlative field studies with rehabilitation patients (Study 1) and Nordic Walkers (Study 2) were conducted to test the hypotheses. Participants’ incentives of physical activity were measured at the beginning of exercising and two weeks (Study 1; T2) and three months (Study 2; T2) later. At T2, participants were asked for their current physical activity. Both studies showed a greater change of activity-related incentives than purpose-related incentives. Furthermore, change in activity-related incentives was more predictive of the maintenance of physical activity than change in purpose-related incentives. The results showed the important role of activeity-related incentives in maintenance of physical activity. The theoretical contribution to physical activity maintenance research and practical implications for health promotion programs were discussed.