The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral and psychological outcomes of sedentary African American and European American women who participated in a telephone exercise counseling intervention. The primary research question addressed is: What are the physical activity (determined by physical activity recall and validated by a one-mile walk test), and mood outcomes for women six months following intervention? Currently 138 participants have complete baseline and 6-month data. The intervention group showed an increase of 12 minutes per day in self reported walk time from baseline to six months. Self reported walk time was validated with minutes to walk one mile. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in time to walk the mile (F(1, 46)=11.44, p < .01). With respect to mood, women in the experimental group showed overall improvement (p < .01). They also reported a significantly larger decrease in POMS-fatigue relative to the control group (4.18 vs. 1.32; t(97)=-2.04, p < .05). Additional analyses showed that the theoretical intervention variables, benefits, goal setting, relapse prevention, plans, efficacy, and social support, were as a composite, related to the intervention as expected (t(136)=-3.31, p < .01). One of the most important preliminary findings in this longitudinal study was that women in the intervention group were able to improve their time to walk one mile. These findings are important in meeting health objectives for the nation to increase physical activity for sedentary women in the community. Funded by NIH NINR NR03999.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Physical Activity, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.