Perceptualand Motor Skills, 1991, 73, 172-174. @ Perceptual and Motor Skills 1991
EFFECTS O F FREQUENCY A N D DURATION O F EXERCISE SESSIONS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND ADHERENCE ',' SALLY A. WHITE, RONALD V. CROCE, ELIZABETH M. LOUREIRO, NEIL VROMAN University of New Hampshire Summary.-The purpose of this study was to assess the relations among physical activity, adherence, and frequency and duration of exercise sessions for 33 male and female sedentary university students. Analysis indicated that frequency and duration of the exercise program did not significantly affect adherence. However, frequency and duration of the exercise sessions did significantly affect leisure activity once the structured exercise program terminated.
Research has shown that habitual physical activity can improve both physiological and psychological well-being (1).The problem, however, is getting targeted individuals to begin, adhere to, and maintain a prescribed exercise regimen. Many persons who could benefit from an exercise program fail to start or are unable to follow a prescribed exercise program. It has been estimated that 66% of American adults d o not exercise regularly during their leisure and 45% do not exercise at all (3). Interest in exercise adherence has increased steadily, and psychological models have been developed to explain and predict exercise adherence and drop out behavior (4). Two of the more basic components of an exercise program, frequency and duration of exercise sessions, have been neglected in the study of adherence. The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, the relations between adherence (i.e., the number of sessions attended by each subject) and frequency (i.e., number of sessions per week subjects exercised in the structured exercise program) and duration (i.e., the length of time for each exercise session) were assessed. Second, the relations between physical activity (i.e., scores from the Physical Activity Survey) and frequency and duration of exercise sessions once the exercise program had terminated were estimated. Subjects were 33 male and female sedentary university students who were randomly assigned to three conditions: (a) an aerobic exercise condition (Group I) in which subjects exercised for 40 min. twice a week at 60 to 70% maximal heart rate, (b) an aerobic exercise condition (Group 11) in which subjects exercised for 20 min. four times a week at 60 to 70% maximal heart rate, and (c) a control condition (Group 111) in which subjects did not exercise. Sedentary was defined as not having engaged in any form of regular 'Reprint requests should be sent to Sally A. White, Department of Physical Education, 209 y e w Hampshire Hall,University of New Hampshire, Durham, N H 03824. Based on a master's thesis, Comparing the Effects of Self-motivation, Activity Level, and Frequency and Duration of Exercise Sessions on Adherence to an Exercise Program, committee chaired by Dr. Ronald V. Croce.
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physical activity for the past six months. No subjects dropped out of the six-week structured exercise program. Subjects completed the Physical Activity Survey (2) at four points throughout the study: (I) two weeks preexercise, (11) immediately postexercise, (111) one month postexercise, and (IV) two months postexercise. The survey measures the amount and intensity of leisure time activities participated in by the individual. A t test between Group I and Group 11's adherence was nonsignificant (t= 1.28, p > .05). This suggests that the frequency and duration of the two different exercise sessions did not affect adherence while the participants were in their structured exercise program. A three-way analysis of covariance was conducted with preexercise survey scores as the covariate, postexercise, one month postexercise, and twomonths postexercise survey scores as the dependent variables, and frequency and duration of exercise sessions among the three groups as the independent factors. Group I participated more in leisure activity immediately postexercise (M = 115.5, SD = 65.6; F,,,, = 4.73, p < .05) than Group I1 (M= 76.5, SD = 40.2) and Group 111 (M = 49.3, SD = 33.0). Group I was also significantly different one month postexercise (M = 82.5, SD = 44.5; F,,,, = 3.32, p < .05) than Group I1 (M = 59.1, SD = 40.5) and Group I11 (M = 52.3, SD = 58.2). Participating in an exercise program only twice a week appeared to increase leisure activity after the program had terminated. Subjects in Group I appeared to incorporate other days of exercising outside of the structured exercise program. Consequently, when the program terminated, they were less dependent on the program. This concept is referred to in the literature as "generalization." According to Martin and Dubbert (3), generalization involves practicing similar target behaviors in alternative situations and is effective because natural reinforcers (scheduling other times to exercise) maintain the desired behavior rather than relying on external sources (structured program). A multiple regression analysis showed Group 11's preexercise physical activity scores were negatively correlated with adherence to the program (R,,,: = .59; F = 5.69, p < .05). This suggested that as participation in leisure activity increased, adherence to a structured exercise program decreased. In sum, this study found that, during a structured exercise program, adherence of the two groups was not affected by the duration and frequency of the different exercise sessions. However, individuals in the group who exercised twice weekly were more likely to exercise in their leisure time after termination of the exercise program than individuals who exercised four times a week. Thus, a generalization effect (3) occurred in these participants, as their survey scores indicated. Subjects incorporated exercise into their daily routine on completion of the structured exercise program. Frequency
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and duration may, therefore, need to be considered when structuring an exercise program to increase leisure activities. REFERENCES 1. DISHMAN,R. K., & GETTMAN, L. R. (1980) Psychobiologic influences in exercise adherence. Jorrrnal of Sports Psychology, 2, 295-310. 2. KOHL,W. H., BLAIR, S. N . , PAFFENBARGER, R. S., MACERA,C . A,, & KRONENFELD, J. J. (1988) A mail survey of physical activity habits as related to measured physical fitness. American Journal of Epidemiology, 127, 1228-1239. 3. ARTIN IN, J. E., & DUEBERT, P. M. (1982) Exercise applications and promotion in behavioral
medicine: current status and Future directions. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 1004-1017. 4. SONSTROEM, R. J. (1988) Psychological models. In R. K. Dishrnan (Ed.),Exercise adherence: its impact on public health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Pp. 125-153.
Accepted July 23, 1991.
EFFECTS O F FREQUENCY A N D DURATION O F EXERCISE SESSIONS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND ADHERENCE ',' SALLY A. WHITE, RONALD V. CROCE, ELIZABETH M. LOUREIRO, NEIL VROMAN University of New Hampshire Summary.-The purpose of this study was to assess the relations among physical activity, adherence, and frequency and duration of exercise sessions for 33 male and female sedentary university students. Analysis indicated that frequency and duration of the exercise program did not significantly affect adherence. However, frequency and duration of the exercise sessions did significantly affect leisure activity once the structured exercise program terminated.
Research has shown that habitual physical activity can improve both physiological and psychological well-being (1).The problem, however, is getting targeted individuals to begin, adhere to, and maintain a prescribed exercise regimen. Many persons who could benefit from an exercise program fail to start or are unable to follow a prescribed exercise program. It has been estimated that 66% of American adults d o not exercise regularly during their leisure and 45% do not exercise at all (3). Interest in exercise adherence has increased steadily, and psychological models have been developed to explain and predict exercise adherence and drop out behavior (4). Two of the more basic components of an exercise program, frequency and duration of exercise sessions, have been neglected in the study of adherence. The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, the relations between adherence (i.e., the number of sessions attended by each subject) and frequency (i.e., number of sessions per week subjects exercised in the structured exercise program) and duration (i.e., the length of time for each exercise session) were assessed. Second, the relations between physical activity (i.e., scores from the Physical Activity Survey) and frequency and duration of exercise sessions once the exercise program had terminated were estimated. Subjects were 33 male and female sedentary university students who were randomly assigned to three conditions: (a) an aerobic exercise condition (Group I) in which subjects exercised for 40 min. twice a week at 60 to 70% maximal heart rate, (b) an aerobic exercise condition (Group 11) in which subjects exercised for 20 min. four times a week at 60 to 70% maximal heart rate, and (c) a control condition (Group 111) in which subjects did not exercise. Sedentary was defined as not having engaged in any form of regular 'Reprint requests should be sent to Sally A. White, Department of Physical Education, 209 y e w Hampshire Hall,University of New Hampshire, Durham, N H 03824. Based on a master's thesis, Comparing the Effects of Self-motivation, Activity Level, and Frequency and Duration of Exercise Sessions on Adherence to an Exercise Program, committee chaired by Dr. Ronald V. Croce.
FREQUENCY AND DURATION OF EXERCISE SESSIONS
173
physical activity for the past six months. No subjects dropped out of the six-week structured exercise program. Subjects completed the Physical Activity Survey (2) at four points throughout the study: (I) two weeks preexercise, (11) immediately postexercise, (111) one month postexercise, and (IV) two months postexercise. The survey measures the amount and intensity of leisure time activities participated in by the individual. A t test between Group I and Group 11's adherence was nonsignificant (t= 1.28, p > .05). This suggests that the frequency and duration of the two different exercise sessions did not affect adherence while the participants were in their structured exercise program. A three-way analysis of covariance was conducted with preexercise survey scores as the covariate, postexercise, one month postexercise, and twomonths postexercise survey scores as the dependent variables, and frequency and duration of exercise sessions among the three groups as the independent factors. Group I participated more in leisure activity immediately postexercise (M = 115.5, SD = 65.6; F,,,, = 4.73, p < .05) than Group I1 (M= 76.5, SD = 40.2) and Group 111 (M = 49.3, SD = 33.0). Group I was also significantly different one month postexercise (M = 82.5, SD = 44.5; F,,,, = 3.32, p < .05) than Group I1 (M = 59.1, SD = 40.5) and Group I11 (M = 52.3, SD = 58.2). Participating in an exercise program only twice a week appeared to increase leisure activity after the program had terminated. Subjects in Group I appeared to incorporate other days of exercising outside of the structured exercise program. Consequently, when the program terminated, they were less dependent on the program. This concept is referred to in the literature as "generalization." According to Martin and Dubbert (3), generalization involves practicing similar target behaviors in alternative situations and is effective because natural reinforcers (scheduling other times to exercise) maintain the desired behavior rather than relying on external sources (structured program). A multiple regression analysis showed Group 11's preexercise physical activity scores were negatively correlated with adherence to the program (R,,,: = .59; F = 5.69, p < .05). This suggested that as participation in leisure activity increased, adherence to a structured exercise program decreased. In sum, this study found that, during a structured exercise program, adherence of the two groups was not affected by the duration and frequency of the different exercise sessions. However, individuals in the group who exercised twice weekly were more likely to exercise in their leisure time after termination of the exercise program than individuals who exercised four times a week. Thus, a generalization effect (3) occurred in these participants, as their survey scores indicated. Subjects incorporated exercise into their daily routine on completion of the structured exercise program. Frequency
174
S. A. WHITE, ETAL.
and duration may, therefore, need to be considered when structuring an exercise program to increase leisure activities. REFERENCES 1. DISHMAN,R. K., & GETTMAN, L. R. (1980) Psychobiologic influences in exercise adherence. Jorrrnal of Sports Psychology, 2, 295-310. 2. KOHL,W. H., BLAIR, S. N . , PAFFENBARGER, R. S., MACERA,C . A,, & KRONENFELD, J. J. (1988) A mail survey of physical activity habits as related to measured physical fitness. American Journal of Epidemiology, 127, 1228-1239. 3. ARTIN IN, J. E., & DUEBERT, P. M. (1982) Exercise applications and promotion in behavioral
medicine: current status and Future directions. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 1004-1017. 4. SONSTROEM, R. J. (1988) Psychological models. In R. K. Dishrnan (Ed.),Exercise adherence: its impact on public health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Pp. 125-153.
Accepted July 23, 1991.
