EXTENDED STAGE MODEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR

1753 The Transtheoretical Model of behavior change is a dynamic stage model consisting of two main dimensions, namely the stages and processes of change. Within the model, the term stage refers to the temporal, motivational, and constancy aspects of change. This construct, as it applies to physical activity behavior (on the basis of the ACSM/CDC description), is the focus of the present study. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is a closure point stage of physical activity behavior (i.e., relapse is no longer a possibility). Questionnaires were distributed to 1,220 adults and returned by 550 (45.8% response rate; M age = 40.2 yr.; 61.6% female; 93.6% Caucasian). Stage of physical activity, (SOPA) was determined using an algorithm created specifically for this study. Predictor variables included age, body mass index, self-perceived physical activity, self-perceived fitness, exercise METS, and an attitudinal measure. Participants were classified into the following SOPA: precontemplation (3.6%) contemplation (3.6%) preparation (16.4%) action (7.7%), maintenance (52.1%), and transformed (16.6%). In a stepwise discriminant function analysis, five of the six predictor variables made significant and independent contributions to the discrimination among stages (Wilks' Lambda =.54, p < 0.0001). These variables, in order of contribution, were: exercise METS, self-perceived fitness, attitude, age, and self-perceived physical activity. Tukey's post-hoc contrasts, performed on each significant predictor variable, revealed a gradient pattern of improvement across the SOPA in a manner generally consistent with theory. Within the limitations of this study, it appears people may be described in terms of six stages of physical activity behavior. Previous research had revealed no more than five stages of exercise behavior. The sixth stage observed in this study may represent the closure point in the physical activity behavior change process. As this is the first report of a possible transformed (closure point) stage within the physical activity domain, future research is warranted.