Changing Physical Activity Behaviour

Mediators for behavioural change

MediatorsMechanisms through which an intervention (strategy) is believed to influence physical activity behaviour

Self EfficacyConfidence in your ability to be active within specific circumstances (for example, even when you are tired)

Individual

• Print and web-based media

• Counselling• Processes of

change

Population

• Environmental change

• Policy• Mass media

Strategies to PromotePhysical Activity

Individual -Cognitive Strategies

Increasing Knowledge Encourage individual to read

and think about P.A.

Being Aware of risks Provide the individual with

the message that being inactive is very unhealthy.

Caring about the consequences to others Encourage the person to

recognise how their inactivity affects their family, friends and co-workers.

Comprehending benefits Assist the individual to

understand the personal benefits of being physically active.

Increasing healthy opportunities. Help the individual increase

their awareness of opportunities to be physically active

Individual - Behavioural Strategies

Substituting alternatives Encourage the individual to

participate in physical activity when they are tired, stressed, or unlikely to want to be physically active.

Enlisting social support Encourage the individual to

find a family member, friend, or co-worker who is willing and able to provide support for being active.

Rewarding yourself Encourage the individual to

praise themselves and reward themselves for being physically active

Committing yourself Encourage the individual to

make promises, plans and commitments to be active.

Reminding yourself Teach the individual how to

set up reminders to be active, such as keeping comfortable

shoes in the car/office, ready for use at any time

Data Analysis (Optional) Complete the student activity on page

46 of Nelson Physical Education VCE Units 3 & 4.

Print and Web-based MediaPrint media can promote

PA in; Booklets Brochures & handoutsIt is available from; Recreational centres Regional Sports

Assemblies Health care centres School and workplaces Mail outsDoesn’t require internet

access.

Web bases media promotes PA through;

Interactive websites Works through the stages

of change Great short term value –

not long term

Counselling options

Telephone counseling and automated telephone-delivered advice

Programmed to call people automatically including during convenient times.

Collect data for PA research.

Counseling for people living in isolated or remote areas  

Social support for older adults if not familiar with using web-based technologies.

Health-professional counseling

• Advice from GPs is often highly regarded.

• GPs sometimes prescribe PA instead of a prescription for medication.

Counselling strategies

Assessing Motivational Readiness

Matching processes of change with motivational

readiness

Identifying opportunities to

be active

ContractingEnlisting social support

Reminder systems

Gradual programming Tailoring

Thinking Things Through Complete the questions on page 51 of

Nelson Physical Education VCE Units 3 & 4.

Population – Environment

Alterations to the social or physical environment to increase level of

activity

Removing barriers or impediments to

people being active

Introducing new resources and/or

facilities to increase activity

Pop

ula

tion

–

En

vir

on

men

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Population - Policy

Laws, regulations, rules or understandings that

are adopted on a collective basis to guide

behaviour

Legislation is formal, documented policies that are governed by

law

Organisational appropriate behaviour

in a particular organisation

Population – Mass MediaReach groups of individuals using a medium other than personal contact or face to

face meetings

TV/Radio broadcastsBillboards, posters and cinema

commercialsPrint media (newspapers/mags)

Web-based Interactive info

Increasing awareness of PAProvides info on health benefits

Provides info on non-health benefitsProvides info about consequencesRaises awareness of community

based programsMotivates individuals to take action

Thinking Things Through Complete the questions on page 56 of

Nelson Physical Education VCE Units 3 & 4.