ArticleTheoretical approaches to the promotion of physical activity: Forging a transdisciplinary paradigm
Introduction
Despite the recognized public health and economic benefits of a regularly active nation,1, 2 a significant proportion of the U.S. population—similar to other developed countries—remains irregularly active or sedentary.1, 3 Given this situation, the continued development and expansion of conceptual approaches that can broaden our understanding of factors that potentially influence physical activity participation are increasingly indicated.4, 5 The goals of this article are (1) to briefly review the current strengths and limitations of the personal-level theoretical literature that has traditionally dominated the physical activity behavior field; and (2) to introduce concepts and perspectives from other fields, including the social-ecology and urban-planning fields, of potential relevance to the physical activity promotion arena.
Section snippets
Personal-level theoretical perspectives in the physical activity field
Over the past 2 decades, a burgeoning literature focused on the application of theory to the physical activity field has emerged.6 The vast majority of theories used have focused on the cognitive, affective, and social influences surrounding the individual and his/her choice to be active (i.e., personal-level perspectives).6. Among the most prominent theories that focus primarily on intrapersonal processes (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, and affect) that have received at least some empirical support
The meso- and macro-environments: social-ecologic perspectives
Social-ecologic models of health promotion43, 44, 45, 46 emphasize certain conceptual principles that are pertinent to understanding and influencing physical activity, and include the following:
- 1.
Intrapersonal, interpersonal, physical environmental, and sociocultural variables function interactively to promote or hinder individuals’ engagement in physical activity.47
- 2.
Environment-behavior relationships are transactional in nature—that is, they are characterized by recurring cycles of
Environmental mediators of physical activity: directions for future research
The theories outlined above identify several environmental factors arrayed at micro, meso, and macro levels that may exert a significant influence on physical activity levels. These factors can be modified by environmental designers and urban planners in ways that encourage (mediate) higher levels of physical activity among community members.29 Examples of environmental factors that constrain or decrease levels of physical activity include: (1) environmental stressors such as residential
The macro-environment: urban planning perspectives
In addition to social-ecologic perspectives, a growing interest has developed in understanding how features of city design can facilitate or impede physical activity. To analyze the relationship between city design and physical activity it makes sense to separate human environments into two types. The first type, which could be termed “car-oriented,” is structured to ensure the safe and efficient movement of cars. The second type, which can be termed “pedestrian-oriented,” is structured to
City design: future directions
The design of American cities changed dramatically after World War II. American cities abandoned their historical development patterns—patterns that were based on pedestrian rather than automobile movement. Because the correlation between physical activity and pedestrian-oriented environments is intrinsic to the features of those environments (i.e., through reducing the need for and convenience of car use), it is reasonable for policymakers concerned with promoting physical activity to look to
Conclusions: toward the development of a transdisciplinary model of physical activity promotion
As evidenced in the previous sections, physical activity researchers can learn much from the different perspectives emanating from fields that, until recently, have developed in isolation from the physical activity field. The types of disciplines and perspectives that potentially have much to contribute to this field are summarized in Figure 1. These theories and perspectives can be placed along a continuum of volitional or personal choice, with those on one end of the continuum (i.e., the
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the comments of Karen Calfas, PhD, and Adrian Bauman, MD, on earlier drafts of this manuscript, as well as the helpful comments of the reviewers.
References (88)
- et al.
Environmental factors associated with adults’ participation in physical activity
Am J Prev Med
(2002) The theory of planned behavior
Org Behav Human Decision Processes
(1991)- et al.
A graded conceptualisation of self-determination in the regulation of exercise behaviordevelopment of a measure using confirmatory factor analytic procedures
Pers Indiv Diff
(1997) - et al.
Mediating variable framework in physical activity interventions. How are we doing? How might we do better?
Am J Prev Med
(1998) - et al.
Environmental and policy interventions to promote physical activity
Am J Prev Med
(1998) - et al.
Mediators of change in physical activity following an intervention in primary carePACE
Prev Med
(1997) - et al.
Intervention-related cognitive versus social mediators of exercise adherence in older adults
Am J Prev Med
(2002) - et al.
Physical activity interventions in low-income, ethnic minority, and populations with disability
Am J Prev Med
(1998) - et al.
Physical activity interventions targeting older adultsa critical review and recommendations
Am J Prev Med
(1998) - et al.
The physical environment of street blocks and resident perceptions of crime and disorderimplications for theory and measurement
J Environ Psychol
(1992)
The physical environment of street crimedefensible space, territoriality, and incivilities
J Environ Psychol
The restorative benefits of naturetoward an integrative framework
J Environ Psychol
Restorative qualities of favorite places
J Environ Psychol
Physical activity and healtha report of the Surgeon General
Higher direct medical costs associated with physical inactivity
Physician Sports Med
Physical activity and behavioral medicine
The new public health approach to improving physical activity and autonomy in older populations
Application of the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior to exercise behaviora meta-analysis
J Sport Exerc Psychol
Increasing adherence to a stressful decision via a motivational balance-sheet procedurea field experiment
J Person Soc Psychol
Decision-making and social support strategies for increasing exercise involvement
J Card Rehab
Reconsidering the roles of attitudes in exercise behaviora decision theoretic approach
J Appl Soc Psychol
Relapse prevention and the maintenance of optimal health
Low-cost strategies for increasing exercise behaviorrelapse preparation training and social support
Behav Modif
Evaluation of relapse prevention and reinforcement interventions to promote exercise adherence in sedentary females
Res Q Exerc Sport
The transtheoretical approachcrossing traditional boundaries of change
The transtheoretical modelapplications to exercise behavior
Med Sci Sports Exerc
Functional significance of psychological variables that are included in the theory of planned behaviora self-determination theory approach to the study of attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of control, and intentions
Eur J Soc Psychol
Harnessing motivational forces in the promotion of physical activitythe Community Health Advice by Telephone (CHAT) Project
Health Educ Res
Social cognitive theoryan agentic perspective
Annu Rev Psychol
Physical activity determinantsa social cognitive approach
Med Sci Sports Exerc
Effects of decreasing sedentary behaviors on activity choice in obese children
Health Psychol
Physical activity behavior changeissues in adoption and maintenance
Health Psychol
Determinants and interventions for physical activity and exercise
Environmental and policy approaches to the promotion of physical activity
By design
How do risk factors work together? Mediators, moderators, and independent, overlapping, and proxy risk factors
Am J Psychiatry
The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological researchconceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations
J Person Soc Psychol
Mediators and moderators of treatment effects in randomized clinical trials
Arch Gen Psychiatry
Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university studentsproject GRAD
Ann Behav Med
Progress in behavioral research on physical activity
Ann Behav Med
Self-efficacy determinants and consequences of physical activity
Exerc Sport Sci Rev
Exercise adherencedeterminants of physical activity and applications of health behavior change theories
Med, Exerc, Nutrition Health
Exercise self-efficacy and its correlates among socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults
Health Educ Behav
Cited by (311)
Demand-side effects of urban green spaces: How attractiveness helps overcome subjective barriers to health behaviours
2024, Urban Forestry and Urban GreeningNeighborhood resources and risk of cognitive decline among a community-dwelling long-term care population in the U.S.
2023, Public Health in PracticeWalkability: Bibliometric Analysis and Review
2024, AIP Conference Proceedings