The Psychological Factors that Effect Activity Levels - Report Example

Introduction There have been various campaigns aimed at promoting physical activity among adult populations mostly in the developed nations, largely due to increasing rates of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity may be described as a bodily movement that causes a considerable boost in energy expenditure (Thompson et al, 2003). Physical activities in adults includes leisure time physical activities such as walking, swimming, gardening, hiking, dancing, transportation activities such as walking, running, and cycling, work related physical activities, household activities, and sports. Various medical evidence demonstrate that physical activity in adults is very beneficial, and it leads to lower rates of all possible cause of mortality, coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, colon and breasts cancer, depression and metabolic syndrome(Åstrand and Kåre 1977, p.543) . In addition, those who engage in physical activity have less risk of a hip or vertebral fracture and they exhibit impressive levels of cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness, can achieve weight maintenance, healthier body mass and composition. Physical activity or sedentary behavior in adults is caused by a number of factors, and these may include environmental, social or psychological factors. The aim of this paper seeks to look individually tailored initiatives and interventions on how to increase the levels of physical activities in adults, considering psychological factors. Recent studies have shown that there are a number of these psychological factors that influence physical activity in adults are broad; the psychological factors include self-efficacy, motivation, emotions, personality traits, maladaptive health behaviours, stress, other cognitive behaviours and others. Threshold of physical activity Increasing research evidence indicate that adults in the United Kingdom especially those who are at their prime age (18-45) do not engage in physical activity of sufficient intensity, duration and the frequency that are important for health benefits. The statistics reflect that in the United Kingdom only about 40 per cent of men and about 28% of women satisfy the given threshold for physical activity in adults. However, various bodies have acknowledged the role of regular physical activity in adults, important for their physical and mental health. Regular physical activity in adults is when they spend an average time of 150 minutes per week engaging in a moderate physical activity, this is an equivalent of about two and a half hours every week. There are several studies that suggested different interventions strategies that should be applied to a given situation in order to increase his physical activity. Increasing individually tailored interventions to increase physical activity among adults need an extensive process that includes and integrates approaches that target the individual’s specific need and in addition it should encompass delivery modalities. Interventions Psychological factors unlike environmental and social factors, implies brain control of physical activity, these can be conscious choices or less conscious choices or drives (Bouchard and Katzmarzyk 2010, p.89). Individual conscious choices can be planned or they may be impulsive actions; in spite of numerous interventions, physical activity among adults in countries both developed and developing remains alarmingly low. However, the few cases in which these interventions have achieved success have renewed interests in recognizing psychological factors that affect physical activity. Bouchard and Katzmarzyk (2010, p.89) suggest that there are up to fifty different behavioural factors that relate to physical activity reported in adults. Several theories have been suggested in developing interventions both at an individual and at a large scale level. At the personality stage behavior planned theory, social-cognitive theory and the theory of reasoned actions have been used to a degree of success. The social cognitive theory often has been combined with constructs such as stages of change and the Transtheoretical model (Caltabiano and Lina 2013, p.38). Social-cognitive theory proposes that personal, behavioural and environmental factors operate as common interrelating determinants (Buckworth et al 2013, p.365). Recent studies have often connected physical activity to interventions based on social cognitive theory have majorly been centered on a person’s capability to control his behaviour; primarily this is what psychologist call self efficacy. There are different sources that have been identified to influence self efficacy, however, many writers name theses four, mastery of accomplishments, social modeling , social persuasion and the interpretation of physiological states ( Buckworth et al 2013, p.392). Marcus and Leigh Ann (2003, p.12) identified five stages of motivational readiness for physical activity. The first stage, an individual does not aim at taking action in order to be acitve physically in the future, this is known as the precontemplation phase. The individual will be exposed to the costs versus the benefits of engaging regularly in more physical engagements, this will enable him to proceed to the next stage. Then the individual attempts to engage in increased levels of physical activity, this will be known as the contemplation stage. The third stage is the preparation stage, the individuals adopts or develop certain behavioural skills that will enable him to become physically active. The fourth stage is the action stage, this arise when the individual begins to become active and finally the last stage, is the maintenance stage, the ability of an individual to do activities on a regular basis. The last two stages of motivational readiness for physical activity are the most important; this is because to make the individual to avoid a relapse, he must therefore employ both cognitive and behavioral strategies to achieve this feat. The person may also take on activity interventions that focus on self-efficacy and the individual’s capability to get in decision making. These theories on interventions emphasize that an individual should build confidence on physical activity of a person. In order to build confidence, certain important techniques such as goal setting, deciding on the pro and cons of such a decision, skills that should be applied to avoid relapse, skills and important stimuli considerations that assist an individual to engage in regular exercise. And finally support and encouragement from his surroundings and environment, that is from friends, family, work colleagues or generally anybody who aids or encourages him to participate in these activities. Intervention methods on behavioural techniques have a long history of being applied in physical activity. Jones and Debra (2005, p.119) revealed that praise and frequent personalized mention of an individual led to an individual’s response to physical activity, this cognitive and behavioural study was conducted on sedentary adults. Recent research findings have revealed that an individual may prefer to engage in physical activity at home or somewhere near the vicinity of their homes. An individual might also be swayed by the influence of large mass media, displaying the importance and benefits of engaging in physical activity, these may include televisions or web based advertisements. These mass media messages have always been thought to have large influence on a person’s ability to engage in physical activity. Trials of mediated interventions based on the transtheoretical model have used both the print, television based and internet based delivery modes. These interventions intend to go with the key elements of the programme to the individual’s level of motivational readiness for change. However, the task of matching interventions to a person’s level of motivational readiness for change must therefore take into account that some people are not yet ready to change their behaviour but may be ready to make changes in their thinking about behaviour. However, there is various intervention strategies that nay used and they include telephone and, however, researchers do not have conclusive evidence on these intervention means. Conclusion For an individual to enjoy healthy life they must engage in physical activity; however people constantly ignore this important issue. Therefore, research studies in health psychology have been conducted to identify various intervention strategies that should be adopted to influence physical activity in people. These interventions are quickly gaining momentum, stimulated by strong and growing bodies of proof on the benefits of a regular engagement in physical activity. Therefore, the paper has identified several intervention strategies both in theoretical framework and actual practical research conducted by different persons. These interventions can and have prove fruitful to sedentary people who cite lack of time, who particularly hate physical activity, or other psychological reasons. It should be noted that results from research work conducted in determining interventions has been very limited in outline a comprehensive suggestion to increase physical activity to an individual. A more comprehensive work should be conducted in this field to determine these interventions that are important to increase the level of physical activity in an individual. References Åstrand, P. and Kåre, R. 1977. Textbook of Work Physiology: Physiological Bases of Exercise. New York: McGraw-Hill. Buckworth, J. and Janet, B. 2013. Exercise Psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Bouchard, C. and Peter T.K. 2010. Physical Activity and Obesity. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Caltabiano, M.L and Lina, R. 2013. Applied Topics in Health Psychology. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. Jones, C J, and Debra J.R. 2005. Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Marcus, B. and Leigh, A.F. 2003. Motivating People to Be Physically Active. Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics. Read More