Abstract
A Solomon four-groups design was used to evaluate the effects of fitness assessment administered at the beginning of the 12-week program of weekly exercise classes and anticipated fitness post assessment administered 11 weeks later. Forty women, aged 24–46 years, were matched on the basis of their self-reported exercise activity and randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) preassessment/anticipated postassessment; (2) preassessment/unanticipated postassessment; (3) no preassessment/anticipated postassessment; (4) no preassessment/unanticipated postassessment. Fitness assessment yielded a predicted MVO2 for each subject based on her heart rate at a predetermined work load on a bicycle ergometer. In addition to the assessments, all subjects received a standardized exercise prescription. Although there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of postassessment MVO2, the results were inconclusive because a majority of subjects failed to appear for their scheduled postassessments. The only evidence for an experimental effect was a significantly higher rate of attrition in the unanticipated than in the anticipated postassessment condition. Recommendations for future research on exercise adherence are suggested.
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The authors wish to express their appreciation to the staff of Kitsilano Community Centre, Centaur Athletics, Papillion Fitness Studios and Action B.C. for their assistance in conducting this study.
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Lawson, D.M., Frankish, C.J. Anticipated versus unanticipated fitness assessment and dropout following exercise prescription. Journal of Behavioral Assessment 4, 287–297 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01341224
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01341224