Changes in Exercise Behaviors with Exercise Counseling

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to understand the changes in the exercise behavior of participants in the exercise-psychological counseling program.METHODS This study sampled adult female participants of C diet camp in Seoul, who were in stages 2~3 of the “Stages of Change Model.” A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to the counseling group (n=30) and control group (n=30). During the 12 weeks of study, all subjects participated in the diet camp program C. The counseling group participated in the exercise psychological counseling program once a week, while the control group participated in recreational activities instead. Exercise adherence, outcome-expectancy, and satisfaction were measured once every four weeks. Latent growth models were used to analyze the measured data.RESULTS Exercise adherence, outcome-expectancy, and satisfaction in the counseling group exerted a statistically significant positive effect. A statistically significant positive effect on the change of exercise adherence variable was observed in the control group, but the trend was only 1/4 of that of the counseling group. In the control group, exercise outcome-expectancy and exercise satisfaction did not have a statistically significant outcome.CONCLUSIONS The exercise counseling program is an essential intervention strategy that enhances participants’ exercise adherence, outcome-expectancy, and satisfaction. Therefore, a positive change in exercise behaviors occurs.