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. 2009 Dec;38(3):249-55.
doi: 10.1007/s12160-009-9141-4. Epub 2010 Jan 6.

Using ecological momentary assessment to examine antecedents and correlates of physical activity bouts in adults age 50+ years: a pilot study

Genevieve Fridlund Dunton  1 , Audie A Atienza, Cynthia M Castro, Abby C King
Affiliations

Using ecological momentary assessment to examine antecedents and correlates of physical activity bouts in adults age 50+ years: a pilot study

Genevieve Fridlund Dunton et al. Ann Behav Med. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Background: National recommendations supporting the promotion of multiple short (10+ minute) physical activity bouts each day to increase overall physical activity levels in middle-aged and older adults underscore the need to identify antecedents and correlates of such daily physical activity episodes.

Purpose: This pilot study used Ecological Momentary Assessment to examine the time-lagged and concurrent effects of empirically supported social, cognitive, affective, and physiological factors on physical activity among adults age 50+ years.

Methods: Participants (N = 23) responded to diary prompts on a handheld computer four times per day across a 2-week period. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), self-efficacy, positive and negative affect, control, demand, fatigue, energy, social interactions, and stressful events were assessed during each sequence.

Results: Multivariate results showed that greater self-efficacy and control predicted greater MVPA at each subsequent assessment throughout the day (p < 0.05). Also, having a positive social interaction was concurrently related to higher levels of MVPA (p = 0.052).

Conclusion: Time-varying multidimensional individual processes predict within daily physical activity levels.

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