Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Physical activity guidelines recommend adults accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days per week (Pate et al., 1995). Research indicates mood is more positive on days when people increase moderate activity like brisk walking compared to days with no extra activity (Thayer, Godes, et al., 2004). Short walks of 5–15 minutes are sufficient to improve mood (Ekkekakis, Hall, et al., 2000; Murphy et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to explore how eleven sedentary women's (M age = 51.6 ± 6.7 yrs.) daily mood on the Activation Deactivation Adjective Checklist [AD ACL] (Thayer, 1986) was effected by daily walking goals monitored by Accusplit AE 170 pedometers. Second, pre-intervention (PI) levels of physical activity self-confidence and readiness and personality traits on the NEO Five Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) were compared to mood and step treatments. A multiple-schedule single-subject design was utilized for within subject comparisons of walking treatments. Mood ratings and step counts were recorded 4 times daily over three days to establish PI levels. Three step count targets were then randomized by day and condition over the subsequent 12 weekdays. Each participant experienced four days of conditions PI level (T1), PI x 130% (T2), and PI x 160% (T3). Mood and steps were measured 4 times daily with post assessment for activity stage of change and self-efficacy as well as social validity. Results found one participant experienced increased energy and decreased tension with increased walking. Five participants demonstrated increased energy and increased tension due increased walking. Greater frequency of high calm and energetic states compared to tense and tired moods were found for T1 (n = 5) than T2 (n = 3). Increased self-efficacy was positively related with increased energetic mood for five participants. Extraversion and neuroticism were not related to mood responses to different walking treatments. Social validity of the intervention was high for increasing both awareness of walking and increasing desire to walk. Overall compliance with daily step treatments was 45% for the instructions of coming within 500 steps of daily step goals and 70% for 1,000 steps.

Download

Share

COinS