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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
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Habits predict physical activity on days when intentions are weak.

Amanda L Rebar1, Steriani Elavsky, Jaclyn P Maher

  • 1School of Human, Health, and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.

Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology
|April 2, 2014
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Summary

Physical activity relies on intentions and habits. Habit strength influences activity when intentions are weak, but not when intentions are strong, suggesting a dynamic interplay for promoting exercise.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Science
  • Exercise Science
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Physical activity is influenced by both deliberate intentions and automatic habits.
  • The interplay between intentions and habits in regulating daily physical activity is not fully understood.
  • Individual differences in habit strength may modulate the impact of intentions on behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how habit strength moderates the relationship between daily physical activity intentions and actual behavior.
  • To examine the day-to-day variability of intentions and their effect on physical activity regulation.
  • To explore the conditions under which habits, rather than intentions, primarily drive physical activity.

Main Methods:

  • University students (N=128) reported their physical activity habit strength.
  • Participants self-reported daily intentions for physical activity over 14 days.
  • Objective physical activity was measured using accelerometers for 14 days.

Main Results:

  • Habit strength positively predicted physical activity on days with weaker-than-usual intentions.
  • On days with typical or stronger-than-usual intentions, habit strength was not significantly related to physical activity.
  • This suggests habits regulate physical activity primarily when intentions are low.

Conclusions:

  • Physical activity regulation is dynamic, influenced by the relative strength of intentions and habits.
  • Habits may play a more significant role in physical activity when daily intentions are not strong.
  • Interventions promoting physical activity should consider both habit strength and the fluctuating nature of intentions.