UVicSpace : Browsing by Author "Rhodes, Ryan E."

Browsing by Author "Rhodes, Ryan E."

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Action control of exercise behaviour: Evaluation of social cognition, cross-behavioural regulation and automaticity
(Behavioral Medicine, 2012) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Fiala, Bonnie; Nasuti, Gabriella
Intention is considered the proximal determinant of behavior in many popular theories applied to understanding physical activity, yet intention-behavior discordance is high. Thus, an understanding of constructs that facilitate or inhibit the successful translation of intentions into behavior is both timely and important. The action control approach of dividing the intention-behavior relationship into quadrants of successful/unsuccessful intenders has shown utility in the past by demonstrating the magnitude of intention-behavior discordance and allowing for an outcome variable to test predictors. The purpose of this article was to evaluate automaticity and cross-behavioral regulation as predictors of exercise action control, in conjunction with other more standard social cognitive predictors of perceived behavioral control and affective and instrumental attitudes. Participants were a random sample of 263 college students who completed predictor measures at time one, followed by exercise behavior two weeks later. Participants were classified into three intention-behavior profiles: (1) nonintenders (14.1%; n = 31), (2) unsuccessful intenders (35.5%; n = 78), and (3) successful intenders (48.6%; n = 107). Affective attitude, perceived behavioral control, automaticity, and cross-behavioral regulation were predictors of action control. The results demonstrate that automaticity and cross-behavioral regulation, constructs not typically used in intention-based theories, predict intention-behavior discordance.
Action Seniors! - secondary falls prevention in community-dwelling senior fallers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(Trials, 2015-04-10) Liu-Ambrose, Teresa; Davis, Jennifer C; Hsu, Chun Liang; Gomez, Caitlin; Vertes, Kelly; Marra, Carlo; Brasher, Penelope M; Dao, Elizabeth; Khan, Karim M; Cook, Wendy; Donaldson, Meghan G; Rhodes, Ryan E.; Dian, Larry
Background: Falls are a ‘geriatric giant’ and are the third leading cause of chronic disability worldwide. About 30% of community-dwellers over the age of 65 experience one or more falls every year leading to significant risk for hospitalization, institutionalization, and even death. As the proportion of older adults increases, falls will place an increasing demand and cost on the health care system. Exercise can effectively and efficiently reduce falls. Specifically, the Otago Exercise Program has demonstrated benefit and cost-effectiveness for the primary prevention of falls in four randomized trials of community-dwelling seniors. Although evidence is mounting, few studies have evaluated exercise for secondary falls prevention (that is, preventing falls among those with a significant history of falls). Hence, we propose a randomized controlled trial powered for falls that will, for the first time, assess the efficacy and efficiency of the Otago Exercise Program for secondary falls prevention. Methods/Design: A randomized controlled trial among 344 community-dwelling seniors aged 70 years and older who attend a falls prevention clinic to assess the efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of a 12-month Otago Exercise Program intervention as a secondary falls prevention strategy. Participants randomized to the control group will continue to behave as they did prior to study enrolment. The economic evaluation will examine the incremental costs and benefits generated by using the Otago Exercise Program intervention versus the control. Discussion: The burden of falls is significant. The challenge is to make a difference – to discover effective, ideally cost-effective, interventions that prevent injurious falls that can be readily translated to the population. Our proposal is very practical – the exercise program requires minimal equipment, the physical therapist expertise is widely available, and seniors in Canada and elsewhere have adopted the program and complied with it. Our innovation includes applying the intervention to a targeted high-risk population, aiming to provide the best value for money. Given society’s limited financial resources and the known and increasing burden of falls, there is an urgent need to test this feasible intervention which would be eminently ready for roll out. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT01029171; registered 7 December 2009.
Affective response to exercise and affective judgments as predictors of physical activity intention and behavior among new mothers in their first six-months postpartum
(Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2023) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Blanchard, Chris M.; Hartson, Kimberly R.; Symons Downs, Danielle; Warburton, Darren E. R.; Beauchamp, Mark R.
Background: Understanding the predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during early postpartum is important to improve promotion efforts. Affect-related constructs are key predictors of MVPA but have limited research in mothers during the postpartum period. Purpose: To examine two affect-related constructs (affective response to exercise and affective judgments) as predictors of MVPA intention and behavior across three months, among a sample of new mothers. Method: Participants were 105 mothers (M age = 30.64 yrs; SD = 3.93) who completed measures during postpartum at two-months post birth of their first child. The affective response to exercise (assessed at baseline [2-months postpartum] during a submaximal treadmill test), affective judgments and intention (baseline, 6-weeks after baseline), and MVPA (baseline, 6- and 12-weeks after baseline) were assessed via self-report. Results: Path analysis, using ordinary least squares regression, showed that the affective response during exercise was a significant predictor of intention (baseline, 6-weeks), as well as change in intention from baseline to 6-weeks. By contrast, affective judgments predicted intention at 6-weeks, but not at baseline or in the change model. Past MVPA did not moderate these findings, although the affective response during exercise also had a significant indirect effect on MVPA through intention at 6-weeks and 12-weeks. Conclusions: Interventions targeting women’s affective response during exercise may be important during postpartum, perhaps through self-paced physical activity guidance. Affective judgments may not be predictive of MVPA, in part due to unanticipated changes during early postpartum leading to inaccurate expectations of the physical activity experience.
Application of the IDEAS framework in adapting a web-based physical activity intervention for young adult college students
(Healthcare, 2022) Hartson, Kimberly R.; Della, Lindsay J.; King, Kristi M.; Liu, Sam; Newquist, Paige N.; Rhodes, Ryan E.
User-centered developmental processes are critical to ensuring acceptability of e-health behavioral interventions, and yet physical activity research continues to be inundated with top-down developmental approaches. The IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share) framework outlines a user-centered process for development of e-health interventions. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the application of the IDEAS framework in adapting a web-based physical activity intervention for young adult college students. Steps 1–3 emphasized integrating insights from users and theory and Steps 4–7 focused on iterative and rapid design with user feedback. Data were collected via repeat qualitative interviews with young adult college students (N = 7). Resulting qualitative metathemes were engagement, accountability, and cultural fit. Therefore, intervention modifications focused on strategies to foster ongoing engagement with the program (e.g., increase interactivity), support personal and social accountability (e.g., private social media group), and provide a cultural fit within the college lifestyle (e.g., images relevant to student life). The resulting web-based intervention included eight weekly lessons, an expanded resource library, “how-to” videos, step and goal trackers, and a private social media group to be led by a wellness coach. In conclusion, the IDEAS framework guided an efficient, user-centered adaptation process that integrated empirical evidence and behavior change theory with user preferences and feedback. Furthermore, the process allowed us to address barriers to acceptability during the design and build stages rather than at later stages of pilot and efficacy testing.
Application of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework to Understand Parental Support of Child and Youth Physical Activity, Sleep, and Screen Time Behaviors
(Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2019) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Berry, Tanya; Faulkner, Guy; Latimer-Cheung, Amy E.; O'Reilly, Norman; Tremblay, Mark S.; Vanderloo, Leigh; Spence, John C.
Background: The purpose of this paper was to apply a framework designed to evaluate the intention-behavior gap, known as multi-process action control (M-PAC), to understand parental support for the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth. Method: Parents (N = 1,208) of children 5 to 17 years of age, completed measures of reflective (attitudes, perceived control), regulatory (planning) and reflexive (identity, habit) processes as well as intention and support behaviors. Results: Parents had significantly (p < .01) higher intentions in descending order to support sleep (86%), reduce screen time (62%) or support physical activity (65% to 61%). Translation of these intentions into behavior was also significantly (p < .01) higher in a descending pattern for sleep support (80%), screen time reduction (68%), and physical activity support (56% to 31%). Congruent with M-PAC, a discriminant function analysis of the results showed that the translation of parental support intentions into behavior was associated with a combination of reflective, regulatory, and reflexive antecedents but these varied by the behaviors. Conclusion: The majority of parents have positive intentions to support child and youth health behaviors, yet many fail to enact this support. Translation of intention into action was associated with attitudinal aspects, control over support, self-regulation skills, and parental habits and identity.
Are mere instructions enough? Evaluation of four types of messaging on community depot recycling
(Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2014) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Beauchamp, Mark R.; Conner, Mark; deBruijn, Gert-Jan; Latimer-Cheung, Amy; Kaushal, Navin
Curbside recycling efforts have made an important contribution to waste containment, but many communities have specific limitations on what products can be recycled within their community bins (e.g., no cartons, Styrofoam, soft plastics) and must rely on depots for recycling these other items. These specialty depots typically take the form of local community or large central municipal sites. The purpose of this randomized trial was to examine messages targeting 1) awareness/instructions, 2) utility, 3) affect, and 4) planning upon community and central depot recycling across eight weeks. One hundred and seventy-six community-dwelling residents between the ages of 18-65 years who self-identified as having the potential to improve their depot recycling activities completed baseline recycling measures and then were randomly assigned to one of the four messaging conditions. One hundred and forty-four of these participants subsequently answered follow-up recycling behavior measures four and eight weeks later. Intention to treat analyses showed that depot recycling increased significantly from baseline to four weeks. The effect waned for community recycling while holding for municipal depot recycling at eight weeks. Distance to recycling depot (closer proximity resulted in greater community recycling), access to a car (low access resulted in greater community recycling), and baseline recycling behavior (no prior recycling resulted in greater behavior change) all acted as significant moderators of the effect. There was no time by group interaction among conditions. The findings support the use of basic instructions – as a minimum – for promoting depot recycling efforts and provide evidence that local community depots, in conjunction with municipal depots, are important to increasing recycling behavior.
Associations between socioeconomic, parental and home environment factors and fruit and vegetable consumption of children in grades five and six in British Columbia, Canada
(BMC Public Health, 2014-02-11) Attorp, Adrienne; Scott, Jenny E; Yew, Ann C; Rhodes, Ryan E.; Barr, Susan I; Naylor, Patti-Jean
Background: Regular fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been associated with reduced chronic disease risk. Evidence from adults shows a social gradient in FV consumption. Evidence from pre-adolescent children varies and there is little Canadian data. This study assessed the FV intake of school children in British Columbia (BC), Canada to determine whether socio-economic status (SES), parental and the home environment factors were related to FV consumption. Methods: As part of the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program, 773 British Columbia fifth-and sixth-grade school children (Mean age 11.3 years; range 10.3-12.5) and their parents were surveyed to determine FV consumption and overall dietary intake. Students completed a web-based 24-hour dietary food recall, and a student measure of socio-economic status (The Family Affluence Scale). Parents completed a self-administered survey about their education, income, home environment and perceptions of their neighbourhood and children’s eating habits. Correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the association between SES, parental and home environment factors and FV consumption. Results: Approximately 85.8% of children in this study failed to meet minimum Canadian guidelines for FV intake (6 servings). Parent income and education were not significantly associated with child FV consumption but were associated with each other, child-reported family affluence, neighbourhood environment, access to FV, and eating at the table or in front of the television. Significant positive associations were found between FV consumption and child-reported family affluence, meal-time habits, neighbourhood environment and parent perceptions of the healthiness of their child’s diet; however, these correlations were weak (ranging from .089-.115). Multiple regression analysis showed that only child-reported family affluence significantly predicted FV consumption (std-β = 0.096 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.27). Conclusions: The majority of children in our study were not meeting guidelines for FV intake irrespective of SES, parent perceptions or home environment, making this a population wide concern. An almost trivial socio-economic gradient was observed for the child-reported SES measure only. These results are consistent with several other studies of children. Longitudinal research is needed to further explore individual and social factors associated with FV consumption in childhood and their development over time.
Automatic and motivational correlates of physical activity: does intensity moderate the relationship?
(Behavioral Medicine, 2010) Rhodes, Ryan E.; de Bruijn, G. J.
The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive capability of a habit construct, controlling for intention and perceived behavioral control, with moderate and strenuous intensity physical activity. This approach was expanded through an examination of whether conscious deliberation in the initiation of physical activity would attenuate these findings and a test of the intention-habit interaction. Participants were 337 undergraduate students who completed the habit measure and measures of intention, deliberation, and perceived behavioral control phrased in either moderate or vigorous intensities at time 1. This was followed by a measure of behaviour 2 weeks later. Results using stacked structural equation models (moderate and vigorous intensity) demonstrated the direct effect of habit and accounted for a significant effect on physical activity after controlling for intention and perceived behavioral control; this effect was invariant to intensity and conscious deliberation. A 3-way interaction, however, was identified for the habit X intention relationship and intensity. In the moderate intensity condition, individuals who reported higher habits showed a lower intention-behavior relationship when compared with those who reported modest or low habits. By contrast, individuals who reported high habit levels in the vigorous physical activity condition demonstrated a larger intention-behavior relationship than their modest and low habit counterparts. The results support the notions that some properties of physical activity may have an automatic component and that habits may be important to physical activity action initiation.
Belief-Level Markers of Physical Activity among Young Adult Couples: Comparisons across People without Children and New Parents
(Psychology & Health, 2014) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Blanchard, Chris M.; Benoit, Cecilia; Naylor, Patti Jean; Symons Downs, Danielle; Warburton, Darren E. R.; Levy-Milne, Ryna
The health benefits of regular moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (PA) are well established, yet few people are active enough to reap these benefits. Young adults, particularly parents, often show declines in PA and may represent a critical population for PA intervention. Theory-based correlates used to guide future interventions, however, are scant in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine theory of planned behavior belief-level constructs as correlates of directly assessed PA across cohorts of young adult couples a) without children and b) with their first child over the initial 12 months. Participants were 238 adults (102 not expecting a child, 136 expecting first child) who completed baseline demographics, belief measures of the TPB, and seven-day accelerometry, followed by assessments at six- and 12-months. Results showed select medium-sized belief-PA correlations with sex and cohort interactions. Overall, women had larger affect-based behavioral belief associations with PA then men, and mothers showed larger associations with control over PA due to the demands of childcare than fathers. Mothers also had larger associations between control beliefs and PA compared to women without children. Extremely high ceiling effects on the behavioral beliefs show limited room for changes in intervention while control beliefs show ample room for change. Control over PA due to the demands of childcare was particularly low in mothers. The results underscore key belief markers that may require targeted intervention in young adults and highlight some critical correlates of PA during early parenthood.
Beyond scale correspondence: A comparison of continuous open scaling and fixed graded scaling when using social cognitive constructs in the exercise domain
(Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 2006) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Matheson, Deborah H.; Blanchard, Chris M.
The standard response format for self-reported exercise behaviour measurement is the continuous open scale, but popular social cognitive theories use fixed graded scales; a noncorrespondent format. Benefits of using continuous open scales for social cognitive constructs include scale correspondence with the behaviour measure, the potential of increased variability from an open response format, and potentially more accurate measurement from using a ratio-level scale. The purpose of this study was to create continuous open measures of theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs and compare these to standard fixed graded measures. Participants were 420 undergraduate students who completed measures of fixed graded and continuous open TPB scales and a 2-week follow-up of exercise behaviour. Psychometric properties were acceptable for both types of scaling, but the correlations of TPB constructs with exercise intention and behaviour were larger for continuous open scaling than fixed graded scaling. This result was due to the additional variability afforded by continuous open scaling and not from scale correspondence; furthermore, the two types of scales had convergent measurement domains. Finally, in an applied analysis, regression equations derived from the continuous open measures showed that higher levels of social cognition towards a behavioural frequency than the desired behavioural outcome are needed to produce that desired behavioural outcome. Overall, continuous open scaling may be a superior form of scaling for social cognitive constructs in the exercise domain in comparison to standard fixed graded measures.
The built-in environment: the role of personality and physical activity
(Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 2006) Rhodes, Ryan E.
Personality trait psychology has seen a reemergence in recent years, and researchers are beginning to apply personality models to understand health behavior habits. This review features recent research on personality correlates of physical activity (PA) and the integration of personality with PA-related social cognition. The current definition and status of general personality work is introduced followed by a review and discussion of the evidence for personality and PA relations. The review concludes with recommendations for personality-matched PA marketing and experimental and longitudinal designs.
Can current physical activity act as a reasonable proxy measure of future physical activity? Evaluating cross-sectional and passive prospective designs with the use of social cognition models
(Preventive Medicine, 2005) Plotnikoff, Ronald; Rhodes, Ryan E.
Background: The standard methodological approach for evaluating social cognitive theories when predicting physical activity behavior is the passive prospective/longitudinal survey design. Although this design is logical, a cross-sectional design may be a cost-effective alternative if the relationships between social cognitive constructs and physical activity are relatively stable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a concurrent measure of physical activity used in a cross-sectional design in comparison to the standard prospective measure. Methods: This study included two 6-month prediction time-periods, between 1997 and 1998, for the purpose of analysis replication, and the theory of planned behavior, the transtheoretical model, protection motivation theory, and social cognitive theory as the models of interest in a population sample (N = 703). Results: Results showed trivial (69% of tests; q < 0.10) to small (31% of tests; q = 0.11-0.18) differences in the correlations between social cognitive constructs and vigorous physical activity occur when using a cross-sectional or prospective design. The cross-sectional design estimated slightly larger coefficients than the prospective design. Conclusions: It appears that a measure of concurrent physical activity included in a cross-sectional design can act as a reasonable proxy measure of future behavior measured in a passive prospective/longitudinal design. These findings support the use of cross-sectional designs when researchers seek a standard correlational investigation of physical activity and social cognitive constructs with the possibility that coefficients may be slightly biased upwards.
Canadian children's and youth's adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic: A decision tree analysis
(Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2020) Guerrero, Michelle D.; Vanderloo, Leigh M.; Rhodes, Ryan E.; Faulkner, Guy; Moore, Sarah A.; Tremblay, Mark S.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to use decision tree modeling to generate profiles of children and youth who were more and less likely to meet the Canadian 24-h movement guidelines during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods Data for this study were from a nationally representative sample of 1472 Canadian parents (Meanage = 45.12, SD = 7.55) of children (5–11 years old) or youth (12–17 years old). Data were collected in April 2020 via an online survey. Survey items assessed demographic, behavioral, social, micro-environmental, and macro-environmental characteristics. Four decision trees of adherence and non-adherence to all movement recommendations combined and each individual movement recommendation (physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep) were generated. Results Results revealed specific combinations of adherence and non-adherence characteristics. Characteristics associated with adherence to the recommendation(s) included high parental perceived capability to restrict screen time, annual household income of ≥ CAD 100,000, increases in children's and youth's outdoor PA/sport since the COVID-19 outbreak began, being a boy, having parents younger than 43 years old, and small increases in children's and youth's sleep duration since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Characteristics associated with non-adherence to the recommendation(s) included low parental perceived capability to restrict screen time, youth aged 12–17 years, decreases in children's and youth's outdoor PA/sport since the COVID-19 outbreak began, primary residences located in all provinces except Quebec, low parental perceived capability to support children's and youth's sleep and PA, and annual household income of ≤ CAD 99,999. Conclusion Our results show that specific characteristics interact to contribute to (non)adherence to the movement behavior recommendations. Results highlight the importance of targeting parents’ perceived capability for the promotion of children's and youth's movement behaviors during challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, paying particular attention to enhancing parental perceived capability to restrict screen time.
Changes in identity and habit formation during 3 months of sport and physical activity participation among parents with young children
(Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Wierts, Colin M.; Beauchamp, Mark R.; Carson, Valerie; Courtnall, Sandy; Blanchard, Chris M.
Understanding factors that might contribute to sustained moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) after the initial start of participation is important. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in PA habit and identity, two constructs purported to drive behavioral maintenance, among parents of young (< 13 years of age) children participating in a PA intervention across 3 months. Parents (team sport n = 58; individual PA n = 60; control n = 66) completed measures of PA habit, PA identity, and self-reported MVPA at baseline, and post-randomization at 6 weeks and 3 months. Identity and habit showed an increase across time, and these changes interacted with group condition assignment. Identity increased for participants in the team sport condition and was significantly different from a stable profile among those assigned to the control condition. Participants in the individual PA condition increased identity from 6 weeks to 3 months. Habit had a more attenuated change across time, with participants in the team sport condition showing an increase from 6 weeks to 3 months compared with the other conditions. The findings contribute to our understanding of maintenance processes and represent the first exploration of how involvement in team sport might shape subsequent habit and identity development.
Comparison of behavioral belief structures in the physical activity domain
(Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 2010) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Conner, Mark
In this study, behavioural belief structures were evaluated in the physical activity domain along four dimensions: positive/negative, affective/instrumental, distal/proximal and specific motive. Participants (n = 200) completed 19 behavioural belief items and a measure of intention. These behavioural beliefs were subsequently classified on each dimension by two independent judges. Results using structural equation modelling showed that positive/negative, affective/instrumental, and proximal/distal dimensions each improved fit over a single behavioural belief construct. Division by affective/instrumental and positive/negative yielded the best fit compared to single dimensions but no division resulted in adequate model fit. Indeed, fit continued to improve as each dimension was added, but this specificity came with incumbent multicollinearity when trying to use the constructs for prediction purposes.
Correlates of meeting the combined and independent aerobic and strength exercise guidelines in hematologic cancer survivors
(International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2017-03) Vallerand, James R.; Rhodes, Ryan E.; Walker, Gordon J.; Courneya, Kerry S.
Background: Most previous research on the correlates of physical activity has examined the aerobic or strength exercise guidelines separately. Such an approach does not allow an examination of the correlates of meeting the combined guidelines versus a single guideline, or one guideline versus the other. Here, we report the prevalence and correlates of meeting the combined and independent exercise guidelines in hematologic cancer survivors (HCS). Methods: In a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 606 HCS from Alberta, Canada using a mailed questionnaire, we obtained separate assessments of aerobic and strength exercise behaviors, as well as separate assessments for motivations, regulations, and reflective processes using the multi-process action control framework (M-PAC). Results: Overall, 22% of HCS met the combined exercise guideline, 22% met aerobic-only, 10% met strength-only, and 46% met neither exercise guideline. HCS were more likely to meet the combined guideline over the aerobic-only guideline if they had no children living at home, and over both the aerobic and strength-only guidelines if they had completed university. As hypothesized, those meeting the combined guideline also had a more favorable strengthspecific M-PAC profile (i. e., motivations, regulations, and reflective processes) than those meeting the aerobic-only guideline, and a more favorable aerobic-specific M-PAC profile than those meeting the strength-only guideline. Interestingly and unexpectedly, HCS meeting the combined guidelines also reported significantly greater aerobicspecific perceived control, planning, and obligation/regret than those meeting the aerobic-only guideline, and greater strength-specific perceived control, planning, and obligation/regret than those meeting the strength-only guideline. Conclusions: Few HCS are meeting the combined exercise guidelines. M-PAC based variables are strong correlates of meeting the combined guidelines compared to aerobic or strength only guidelines. Strategies to help HCS meet the combined guidelines may need to promote more favorable behavioral regulations and reflective processes for both types of exercise rather than just the type of exercise in which HCS are deficient.
Correlates of physical activity in a population-based sample of kidney cancer survivors: an application of the theory of planned behavior
(BioMed Central, 2012-08-06) Trinh, Linda; Plotnikoff, Ronald C; Rhodes, Ryan E.; North, Scott; Courneya, Kerry S
Background: Over half of kidney cancer survivors (KCS) are completely inactive and only a quarter are meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines. This highlights the need to identify and understand the determinants of PA in this understudied population. The purpose of this study is to determine the social cognitive correlates of PA intention and behavior in KCS using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: All 1,985 KCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 in Alberta, Canada were mailed a self-report survey that consisted of the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and standard TPB items for intention, planning, perceived behavioral control (PBC), affective and instrumental attitudes, and descriptive and injunctive norms. Standard demographic and medical variables were also collected. Results: Completed surveys were received from 703 of 1,654 (43%) eligible KCS. The TPB was tested using structural equation modelling and demonstrated an adequate-to-good fit to the data [χ² = 256.88, p < .001; TLI = 0.97; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI = 0.05-0.06]. There were significant pathways to PA from PBC (ß = 0.18, p = 0.02), planning (ß = 0.22, p < 0.01), and intention (ß = 0.31, p < 0.01); and to planning from intention (ß = 0.81, p < 0.01). In addition, there were significant model pathways to intention from instrumental attitude (ß = 0.28, p = 0.03), descriptive norm (ß = 0.09, p = 0.01), and PBC (ß = 0.52, p < 0.01). Overall, the TPB accounted for 69%, 63%, and 42% of the variance in intention, planning and PA, respectively. Conclusion: The TPB appears to be a useful model for explaining PA in KCS. All TPB constructs except injunctive norm and affective attitude were useful for explaining intention with PBC emerging as the largest correlate. Developing PA interventions based on the TPB may be effective in promoting PA in KCS and may lead to important improvements in health. Keywords: Exercise, Motivation, Social cognitive models, Correlates
Correlates of physical activity participation among individuals diagnosed with cancer: An application of the Multi-Process Action Control framework
(International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health, 2023) Tabaczynski, Allyson; Arbour-Nicitopoulos, Kelly P.; Rhodes, Ryan E.; Sabiston, Catherine M.; Trinh, Linda
Background: The purpose of this study was to test Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) processes as correlates of physical activity (PA) intention formation and translation (i.e., action control) in individuals diagnosed with cancer. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey, completed from July to November of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. PA and M-PAC processes were self-reported using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and questionnaires for reflective (instrumental/affective attitudes, perceived opportunity/capability), regulatory (e.g., goal-setting, planning), and reflexive processes (habit, identity). Separate hierarchical multinomial logistic regression models determined correlates of intention formation and action control. Results: Participants (n = 347; Mage= 48.2 ± 15.6) were primarily diagnosed with breast cancer (27.4%) and at a localized stage (85.0%). Most participants intended to perform PA (70.9%), yet only 50.4% met guidelines. Affective judgements (p < 0.001) and perceived capability (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with intention formation. Preliminary models indicated employment, affective judgements, perceived capability, and self-regulation to be significant (ps < 0.05) correlates of action control, but in the final model, only surgical treatment (p = 0.02) and PA identity (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with action control. Conclusion: Reflective processes were associated with PA intention formation, while reflexive processes were associated with PA action control. Behavior change efforts for individuals diagnosed with cancer should extend beyond social-cognitive approaches to include regulatory and reflexive processes of PA behavior (i.e., PA identity).
Couple-based physical activity planning for new parents: A randomized trial
(Elsevier Inc., 2021) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Blanchard, Chris; Quinlan, Alison; Symons Downs, Danielle; Warburton, Darren; Beauchamp, Mark
Abstract Introduction: The demands of parenthood may limit the pursuit of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), establish inactivity patterns into middle age, and lead to long-term poorer health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a couple-based planning skills intervention to support MVPA from baseline (~2 months after birth) up to 6 months later in first-time parents. Study design: Randomized trial. Participants: 264 parents (132 couples) at the 2-month point of parenting their first child. Intervention: Couples were randomized to either an education control (n=58 couples) or an education plus planning condition (n=74 couples). Main outcome measures: MVPA was assessed via accelerometry and self-report at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Health-related fitness (aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility) and BMI tests were conducted at baseline and 6 months. Rolling recruitment was between 2014 and 2017. Results: The accelerometry results had large amounts of missing data that were not missing at random, so only self-reported MVPA was analyzed. Dyadic multilevel modeling conducted in 2020 showed that mothers' MVPA had a significant quadratic pattern over time that was similar for both conditions, and BMI decreased while strength and flexibility increased. Fathers did not have significant outcomes. Participants who were not meeting MVPA guidelines at baseline responded to the education plus planning condition with increased MVPA (father B=1.31, mother B=1.14, p<0.05) compared with those who initially met those guidelines. Conclusions: Mothers may be more responsive than fathers to MVPA interventions in early parenthood. Already active parents likely have little to be gained from additional intervention. Future research is needed to effectively promote MVPA during fatherhood and identify novel ways to sustain PA past the early response to an intervention.
Creating parsimony at the expense of precision? Conceptual and applied issues of aggregating belief-based constructs in physical activity research.
(Health Education Research, 2004) Rhodes, Ryan E.; Plotnikoff, Ronald; Spence, John
The aggregation of measured social cognitive beliefs to form scales is a common procedure in physical activity research. In this paper, we propose that specific beliefs may actually have unique associations with physical activity, which are obscured by the practice of aggregation. Further, we point out that beliefs may be related in a more complex manner than the theory behind scale aggregation. Both of these factors are interpreted in terms of limiting physical activity intervention efforts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine alternatives to summative scales of physical activity beliefs using structural equation modeling. Demonstrations were performed using belief-based constructs of self-efficacy, pros and cons with a large Canadian random sample (N = 683) over three, 6-month time points. Results demonstrated that items of belief-based scales are multidimensional and that a correlated belief structure fit the observed data better (P < 0.05) and explained more variance in vigorous physical activity (an additional 6-7%) than aggregated scales. Finally, a causally ordered structure among beliefs was supported, suggesting that items within a scale may be linked causally rather than as indicators of a higher-order latent variable. Implications for future research and physical activity interventions are discussed.

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