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

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

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

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03047590
• Other study ID #: D0991
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 21, 2017
• Est. completion date: March 29, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: July 2018
• Source: Duke University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 159
• Est. completion date: March 29, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: March 29, 2018
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

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

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Physical Activity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Choice-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to choose whichever intensity they want, rather than regulate their intensity based on heart rate.
• Positive Affect Focus
Participants are instructed to focus on feeling good while exercising.
• Heart rate-based Exercise Intensity
Participants are instructed to regulate their exercise intensity based on their heart rate.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Duke University IBRC Lab	Durham	North Carolina

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Duke University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (2)

Baldwin AS, Kangas JL, Denman DC, Smits JA, Yamada T, Otto MW. Cardiorespiratory fitness moderates the effect of an affect-guided physical activity prescription: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Cogn Behav Ther. 2016 Nov;45(6):445-57. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2016.1194454. Epub 2016 Jun 16. — View Citation

Williams DM, Dunsiger S, Miranda R Jr, Gwaltney CJ, Emerson JA, Monti PM, Parisi AF. Recommending self-paced exercise among overweight and obese adults: a randomized pilot study. Ann Behav Med. 2015 Apr;49(2):280-5. doi: 10.1007/s12160-014-9642-7. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in objectively measured exercise behavior	Minutes per week of objectively measured exercise behavior.	This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)
Secondary	Change in self-reported exercise behavior	Minutes per week of self-reported exercise behavior that is reported using exercise log.	This will be measured throughout the baseline assessment period (2 weeks) and intervention period (4 weeks)
Secondary	Change in affective attitudes	Affective attitudes toward exercise	Measured during baseline assessment period and at the end of the intervention
Secondary	Self-reported intrinsic motivation (questionnaires)	Intrinsic motivation for exercise program	Two weeks into study intervention
Secondary	Enjoyment	Enjoyment of exercise program.	Measured at the end of the intervention period (4 weeks)
Secondary	Change in weight	Body weight	Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).
Secondary	Change in resting heart rate	Resting heart rate	Measured at the beginning and end of the study (6 weeks).