Physical activity staging distribution: Establishing a heuristic using multiple studies

Authors

C. Nigg, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
L. Hellsten, University of Saskatchewan
G. Norman, San Diego State University
L. Braun, Rush University Medical Center
R. Breger, Oregon Health & Science University
P. Burbank, University of Rhode Island
M. Coday, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
D. Elliot, Oregon Health & Science University
C. Garber, Northeastern University
M. Greaney, University of Rhode Island
S. Keteyian, Henry Ford Health System
F. Lees, University of Rhode Island
C. Matthews, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
E. Moe, Oregon Health & Science University
B. Resnick, University of Maryland, College Park
D. Riebe, University of Rhode Island
J. Rossi, University of Rhode Island
D. Toobert, Oregon Research Institute
T. Wang, Emory University
G. Welk, Iowa State University
G. Williams, University of Rochester

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

5-10-2005

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the population prevalence across the stages of change (SoC) for regular physical activity and to establish the prevalence of people at risk. With support from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nine Behavior Change Consortium studies with a common physical activity SoC measure agreed to collaborate and share data. The distribution pattern identified in these predominantly reactively recruited studies was Precontemplation (PC) = 5% (± 10), Contemplation (C) = 10% (± 10), Preparation (P) = 40% (± 10), Action = 10% (± 10), and Maintenance = 35% (± 10). With reactively recruited studies, it can be anticipated that there will be a higher percentage of the sample that is ready to change and a greater percentage of currently active people compared to random representative samples. The at-risk stage distribution (i.e., those not at criteria or PC, C, and P) was approximately 10% PC, 20% C, and 70% P in specific samples and approximately 20% PC, 10% C, and 70% P in the clinical samples. Knowing SoC heuristics can inform public health practitioners and policymakers about the population's motivation for physical activity, help track changes over time, and assist in the allocation of resources. © 2005 by The Society of Behavioral Medicine.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Volume

29

Issue

SUPPL.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Nigg, C., L. Hellsten, G. Norman, L. Braun, R. Breger, P. Burbank, M. Coday, D. Elliot, C. Garber, M. Greaney, S. Keteyian, F. Lees, C. Matthews, E. Moe, B. Resnick, D. Riebe, J. Rossi, D. Toobert, T. Wang, G. Welk, and G. Williams. "Physical activity staging distribution: Establishing a heuristic using multiple studies." Annals of Behavioral Medicine 29, SUPPL. (2005): 35-45. doi: 10.1207/s15324796abm2902s_7.