The high prevalence of physical inactivity among middle- and older-aged adults is related to a number of chronic diseases and decreased quality of life. Counselor-directed physical activity programs may enhance extrinsic motivation (social influence theory) and promote physical activity. However, social influence may undermine long- term intrinsic motivation (cognitive evaluation theory), contributing to physical activity relapse once counselor-initiated contact ends. In contrast, programs that diminish the socially evaluative and controlling aspects of the counseling interchange may promote intrinsic motivation and foster long-term maintenance of physical activity, even when counselor-initiated contact ceases. The proposed study compares these alternative theoretical perspectives by conducting a randomized controlled clinical trial examining a 12-month telephone-administered counseling program delivered either by a person (social influence enhancement) or computer (cognitive evaluation enhancement) on one-year participation in and 18-month maintenance of physical activity in older sedentary adults. Outcome measures include physical activity and performance measures, as well as quality of life. Possible moderators and mediators of the response to intervention will be explored, as will costs associated with each intervention program.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AG016587-01
Application #
2805533
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-HUD-2 (01))
Program Officer
Lymn, Richard W
Project Start
1999-06-01
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
1999-06-01
Budget End
2000-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
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King, Abby C; Toobert, Deborah; Ahn, David et al. (2006) Perceived environments as physical activity correlates and moderators of intervention in five studies. Am J Health Promot 21:24-35
Brassington, Glenn S; Atienza, Audie A; Perczek, Ruben E et al. (2002) Intervention-related cognitive versus social mediators of exercise adherence in the elderly. Am J Prev Med 23:80-6