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Using a combined protection motivation theory and health action process approach intervention to promote exercise during pregnancy

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Abstract

Despite the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, many expectant mothers are inactive. This study examined whether augmenting a protection motivation theory (PMT) intervention with a Health Action Process Approach can enhance exercise behavior change among pregnant women. Sixty inactive pregnant women were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: PMT-only, PMT + action-planning, and PMT + action-and-coping-planning. Week-long objective (accelerometer) and subjective (self-report) exercise measures were collected at baseline, and at 1- and 4-weeks post-intervention. Repeated-measures ANOVAs demonstrated that while all participants reported increased exercise from baseline to 1-week post-intervention, participants in both planning groups were significantly more active (p < .001) than those in the PMT-only group by 4-weeks post-intervention (η 2 = .13 and .15 for accelerometer and self-report data, respectively). In conclusion, augmenting a PMT intervention with action or action-and-coping-planning can enhance exercise behavior change in pregnant women.

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Notes

  1. The intervention material can be obtained by contacting the principal investigator (corresponding author).

  2. Please refer to Sniehotta et al. (2006) for a detailed description of the planning sheets.

  3. These data are available upon request from the principal investigator.

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  1. The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Anca Gaston & Harry Prapavessis

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  1. Anca Gaston
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  2. Harry Prapavessis
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Correspondence to Anca Gaston.

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Gaston, A., Prapavessis, H. Using a combined protection motivation theory and health action process approach intervention to promote exercise during pregnancy. J Behav Med 37, 173–184 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9477-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9477-2

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