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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Does physical activity intensity moderate social cognition and behavior relationships?
Felicity Scott1, Ryan E Rhodes, Danielle Symons Downs
1Behavioural Medicine Laboratory, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|December 5, 2009
Summary
Public health messages can combine moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA) because motives for exercise remain similar across intensities. This study found no significant differences in the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs influencing intention or PA by intensity.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Public health messaging often groups moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA).
- Understanding the motivations behind different PA intensities is crucial for effective health promotion.
- Limited research has explored the consistency of motives across PA intensities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the beliefs and motivations for moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA.
- To apply Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to understand PA motives.
- To examine if motives for PA differ based on intensity in a college sample.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 337 college students was recruited.
- Participants were randomly assigned to complete TPB measures for either moderate- or vigorous-intensity PA.
- Self-reported PA was measured two weeks post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Vigorous PA was associated with greater perceived benefits for appearance and fitness.
- Vigorous PA was perceived as more time-consuming than moderate PA.
- Structural equation modeling revealed no significant differences in TPB constructs' association with intention or PA between intensities.
Conclusions:
- Findings support combining moderate and vigorous PA in public health messaging.
- Motivations for engaging in PA appear consistent across different intensity levels.
- The Theory of Planned Behavior effectively explains intention and behavior for both moderate and vigorous PA.
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