An Examination of the Efficacy of a Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing Exercise Intervention
An Examination of the Efficacy of a Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing Exercise Intervention
The current study involves conducting an intervention based on self-determination theory
 (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI) to promote physical activity in a racially-diverse
 sample. It is expected that this intervention will successfully increase physical activity in
 participants.
The mental and physical benefits of physical activity are well-established. However, there is
 a racial disparity in exercise, such that minorities are much less likely to engage in
 physical activity than are white individuals. Research suggests that a lack of motivation may
 be an important barrier to physical activity for racial minorities. Therefore, interventions
 which increase participants' motivation may be especially useful in promoting physical
 activity within these groups. A previous meta-analysis has found that physical activity
 interventions based on self-determination theory (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI) are
 especially effective in increasing white individuals' physical activity (Miller & Gramzow,
 under review). However, it remains unclear the extent to which these results apply to
 minority populations. The current study involves conducting an intervention based on SDT and
 MI to promote physical activity in a racially-diverse sample. It is expected that this
 intervention will successfully increase physical activity in participants. Specifically, it
 is expected that there will be a greater relative increase in physical activity in minority
 individuals than white individuals within the intervention group because it is expected that
 their level of activity will be lower at baseline.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  participants were were willing to attend an exercise class once a week for 12 weeks,
 were willing to complete questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks, allowed the
 intervention staff to monitor their attendance at the YMCA for 6 months post
 intervention, and allowed the exercise instructor to create an audio recording of all
 of the intervention sessions.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  not have any illnesses that would prevent them from exercising once a week, not be
 pregnant or planning to get pregnant within the next 3 months