MEDIATING VARIABLE FRAMEWORK IN PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS - HOWARE WE DOING - HOW MIGHT WE DO BETTER

Introduction: Behavioral science: provides the foundation for physical . activity interventions. The mediating variable framework is used to assess die status of physical activity interventions and the roles tha t are, or could be played, by behavioral theory. Methods: Twenty-five physical activity intervention studies and 45 physical activity correl ational studies were found in the literature, tabulated, and included in the analysis. Results: Behavioral interventions for promoting physi cal activity have worked primarily when participants were motivated en ough to volunteer or when a school-based physical education program ch anged. In most cases, behavioral or psychosocial theory accounted for 30% or less of the variability in physical activity behaviors. Most in tervention studies do not measure mediating variables, and when they d o, they do not systematically effect changes in all the mediating vari ables on which they are predicated. Discussion: To increase the effect iveness of physical activity interventions, more physical activity res earch should focus on a better understanding of the predictors of phys ical activity and toward interventions demonstrated to effect change i n these predictors of physical activity. Conclusion: Changing the focu s to basic behavioral and social science and mediator change research should provide a more systematic and cost-effective approach to increa sing the effectiveness of physical activity interventions.