Overview
This study would investigate the effects of forming action plans on a reduction of sedentary behaviors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either active control group (education on sedentary behaviors and physical activity) or the intervention group (forming action plans referring to replacing sedentary activities with physical activity. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated at the 2-month follow-up and at the 8-month follow-up.
Description
The effects of three sessions (3 education sessions versus 3 education sessions+ forming plans to replace sedentary behavior with physical activity) will be investigated among participants from three age groups: adolescents (12-17 years old), adults (18-60 years old), and older adults (>60 years old). Compared to education only, forming plans about how to replace time spent on sedentary activities with physical activity is expected to result in a significantly larger change (a reduction) of sedentary time at the follow-up. Accelerometers will be used to evaluate short-term and mid-term changes in total sedentary time and the relative proportion of time spent on sedentary behavior vs light-intensity and moderate-to-vigorous- intensity physical activity.
Additionally, the study will observe changes in if the cognitions included in the Health Action Process Approach model (HAPA), such risk perception, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, intention, action control, as well as changes in behavioral habit, presence of sedentary behavior cues in physical environment, and physical activity behavior. The observations will be conducted three times, at the baseline (before the intervention), the 2-month follow up, and at the 8-month follow-up.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- not meeting physical activity guidelines proposed by the World Health Organization
Exclusion Criteria:
- any existing diseases with contraindications for moderate intensity physical activity, confirmed by patient's primary care physician or a specialist in cardiovascular diseases/endocrinology/rehabilitation medicine providing care for the patient during the recruitment and follow-ups