title: Adherence to exercise prescriptions: effects of prescribing moderate versus higher levels of intensity and frequency.
abstract: Sedentary adults (N = 379) were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 design to walk 30 min per day at a frequency of either 3-4 or 5-7 days per week, at an intensity of either 45%-55% or 65%-75% of maximum heart rate reserve. Analyses of exercise accumulated over 6 months showed greater amounts completed in the higher frequency (p = .0001) and moderate intensity (p = .021) conditions. Analyses of percentage of prescribed exercise completed showed greater adherence in the moderate intensity(p = .02) condition. Prescribing a higher frequency increased the accumulation of exercise without a decline in adherence, whereas prescribing a higher intensity decreased adherence and resulted in the completion of less exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0165, USA. mperri@hp.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Durning
authors.forename: Timothy U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Ketterson
authors.forename: Sumner J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sydeman
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Berlant
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Kanasky
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Limacher
authors.forename: A Daniel
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology