Improving Consistency of Goal Attainment to Increase Physical Activity

• Main Author: Solley, Elizabeth Anne
• Format: Others
• Published: Scholar Commons 2014
• Subjects: accelerometer; action plan; exercise; fitness; goal-setting; self-monitoring; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities
• Online Access: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5314; https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6510&context=etd

Researchers have successfully increased physical activity with self-monitoring, goal setting, and feedback. Goal attainment is a crucial part of what makes goal setting successful; however, it is often unreported in the literature or implied that goals were not reached consistently. A potential way to achieve this consistency is to create an action plan, or a detailed account of exactly how and when the individual will engage in the desired physical activity to reach his or her goal. This study evaluated whether making a detailed action plan would allow individuals to reach their physical activity goals more consistently than when using goal setting and self-monitoring alone. Action planning increased goal attainment for all participants but only resulted in increased physical activity for 2 of 3 participants. Future research should replicate this study to validate these findings and further explore methods for improving the success of goal setting as an intervention.