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Published on: March 7, 2019
The roles of want to commitment and have to commitment in explaining physical activity behavior
Jeanne M Gabriele1, Diane L Gill, Claire E Adams
1G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and the Dept of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
|April 14, 2011
Summary
The Investment Model effectively predicts sustained physical activity. Enthusiastic commitment (want to) is key for maintaining exercise, unlike obligatory commitment (have to).
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Behavioral maintenance is complex, with few models addressing its intricacies.
- The Investment Model posits satisfaction, investments, and alternatives predict commitment and behavior continuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Investment Model's utility in predicting physical activity behavior.
- To examine the relationship between commitment determinants and physical activity.
Main Methods:
- 267 participants completed questionnaires on physical activity and commitment.
- Structural equation modeling analyzed relationships between commitment types, determinants, and physical activity.
Main Results:
- Enthusiastic commitment ('want to') correlated with exercise behavior stage and duration.
- Satisfaction and investments predicted enthusiastic commitment.
- Satisfaction, investments, and alternatives predicted obligatory commitment ('have to').
- The model explained 68% of variance in physical activity duration and 23% in behavior change stage.
Conclusions:
- The Investment Model is applicable to physical activity behavior.
- Enthusiastic commitment is crucial for predicting and maintaining physical activity.
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