TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of pretesting on intentions and behaviour
T2 - A pedometer and walking intervention
AU - Spence, John C.
AU - Burgess, Jenny
AU - Rodgers, Wendy
AU - Murray, Terra
PY - 2009/9
Y1 - 2009/9
N2 - This study addressed the influence of pedometers and a pretest on walking intentions and behaviour. Using a Solomon four-group design, 63 female university students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: pedometer and pretest (n=16), pedometer and no pretest (n=16), no pedometer and pretest (n=15), no pedometer and no pretest (n=16). The pretest conditions included questions on walking, intentions to walk 12,500 steps per day, and self-efficacy for walking 12,500 steps per day. In the pedometer conditions a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-650 pedometer was worn for one week. All participants completed posttest questions. While significant pretest x pedometer interactions would have indicated the presence of pretest sensitisation, no such interactions were observed for either intention or self-reported walking. Wearing pedometers reduced intentions for future walking and coping self-efficacy. However, after controlling for pretest self-reported walking, pedometer use resulted in more self-reported walking. We conclude that wearing a pedometer increased self-reported walking behaviour but that a pretest did not differentially influence walking intentions, behaviour, or self-efficacy.
AB - This study addressed the influence of pedometers and a pretest on walking intentions and behaviour. Using a Solomon four-group design, 63 female university students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: pedometer and pretest (n=16), pedometer and no pretest (n=16), no pedometer and pretest (n=15), no pedometer and no pretest (n=16). The pretest conditions included questions on walking, intentions to walk 12,500 steps per day, and self-efficacy for walking 12,500 steps per day. In the pedometer conditions a Yamax Digi-Walker SW-650 pedometer was worn for one week. All participants completed posttest questions. While significant pretest x pedometer interactions would have indicated the presence of pretest sensitisation, no such interactions were observed for either intention or self-reported walking. Wearing pedometers reduced intentions for future walking and coping self-efficacy. However, after controlling for pretest self-reported walking, pedometer use resulted in more self-reported walking. We conclude that wearing a pedometer increased self-reported walking behaviour but that a pretest did not differentially influence walking intentions, behaviour, or self-efficacy.
KW - Pedometers
KW - Physical activity
KW - Pretest sensitisation
KW - Social cognitive theories
KW - Walking
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70449464758&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08870440801989938
DO - 10.1080/08870440801989938
M3 - Journal Article
C2 - 20205026
AN - SCOPUS:70449464758
SN - 0887-0446
VL - 24
SP - 777
EP - 789
JO - Psychology and Health
JF - Psychology and Health
IS - 7
ER -