Improving Physical Activity Levels and Psychological Variables on University Students in the Contemplation Stage

• Main Authors: Cristina Corella, Javier Zaragoza, José Antonio Julián, Víctor Hugo Rodríguez-Ontiveros, Carlos Tomás Medrano, Inmaculada Plaza, Alberto Abarca-Sos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: university students; physical activity; intervention; self-determination theory; transtheoretical model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/22/4368

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a physical activity intervention, based on self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model, on university students in the contemplation stage. Participants: 42 students, in the contemplation stage at baseline, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (16 women, 2 men; M age = 19.1 ± 1.15) and a control group (18 women, 2 men; M age = 20.1 ± 5.7). Methods: Physical activity was measured at different moments by accelerometry. Other cognitive variables were measured by self-reported scales. Results: We did not find any significant increases in students’ physical activity in favor of the intervention group. Intragroup analyses indicate that the intervention has an effect on physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), basic psychological needs, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Conclusions: Results partially demonstrate that applying social cognitive theories seems to be effective in improving physical activity and cognitive variables in university students in the contemplation stage