Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults

Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McCully, Scout N.
Language:English
Published: Kent State University / OhioLINK 2014
Subjects:
Psychology
physical activity
executive function
self-regulation
daily diary
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1402408598
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent14024085982021-08-03T06:25:18Z Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults McCully, Scout N. Psychology physical activity executive function self-regulation daily diary <p>MCCULLY, SCOUT N., M.A. AUGUST 2014 PSYCHOLOGY</p><p>TASK-SWITCHING, FLEXIBLE SELF-REGULATION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN YOUNG ADULTS</p><p>Director of Thesis: John A. Updegraff</p><p>The gap between how active people intend to be and how active they are is an issue that eludes researchers and lay people alike. Temporal Self-Regulation Theory suggests that executive functions play a role in explaining the intention-behavior gap. The executive function of task-switching may play a unique role in physical activity in that it may promote means-shifting, or changing the methods by which one approaches a goal. I tested whether the executive function of task-switching predicts greater physical activity, and explored a potential mediating pathway via means-shifting. I also sought to replicate the finding that inhibitory control predicts greater physical activity. A sample of 128 college students (73% female, mean age = 19.9) completed baseline measures, one test of inhibitory control (Go/NoGo) and three tests of task-switching ability, then logged exercise daily for 2 weeks. Means-shifting was operationalized as activity substitution, coded when participants adopted an alternate activity on a day they planned to do something but did not. Controlling for baseline physical activity, intentions, and time, the indirect effect of task-switching on physical activity via activity substitution was significant (b = 12.02, p < .001). However, task-switching did not directly affect physical activity, even when activity substitution was not included in the model (b = 6.43, p = .223). In line with previous research, inhibitory control was found to have a direct effect on physical activity (b = 22.27, p = .018). The data indicate that executive functions do play a role in physical activity maintenance. Inhibitory control had a direct effect on physical activity, and while the direct effect of task-switching on physical activity was not significant, the indirect path indicates that those better at task-switching are also more likely to substitute activities, and thus engage in more physical activity. </p> 2014-07-08 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1402408598 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1402408598 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Psychology
physical activity
executive function
self-regulation
daily diary
spellingShingle Psychology
physical activity
executive function
self-regulation
daily diary
McCully, Scout N.
Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
author McCully, Scout N.
author_facet McCully, Scout N.
author_sort McCully, Scout N.
title Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
title_short Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
title_full Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
title_fullStr Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
title_full_unstemmed Task-Switching, Flexible Self-Regulation, and Physical Activity in Young Adults
title_sort task-switching, flexible self-regulation, and physical activity in young adults
publisher Kent State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2014
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1402408598
work_keys_str_mv AT mccullyscoutn taskswitchingflexibleselfregulationandphysicalactivityinyoungadults
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