The Use of Behavioral Contracting to Increase Exercise Activity

Abstract

A cardiovascular risk reduction program used a submaximal treadmill stress test to evaluate physical fitness. Of the 179 individuals who participated in the health education counseling activities which followed testing, 96 signed a behavioral contract to engage in a 12-week aerobic exercise program. Forty-one contractors fully met contract goals, and 21 reported increased activity levels. Analyses examined demographic, risk factor, and attitudinal predictors of contract signing and contract adherence. Contract signing was related to education, smoking, and women's mean body weight. Only women's body weight was related to contract adherence. Attitudes toward exercise were related to neither. Level of contract adherence was significantly related to a decrease in exercising heart rate at the six-month follow-up assessment. These data suggest that contract signing may be a useful device for assessing client motivation and predicting program participation and behavioral change outcomes.