Adherence to exercise prescriptions: effects of prescribing moderate versus higher levels of intensity and frequency.
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.
Perri
Michael G
MG
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0165, USA. mperri@hp.ufl.edu
Anton
Stephen D
SD
Durning
Patricia E
PE
Ketterson
Timothy U
TU
Sydeman
Sumner J
SJ
Berlant
Nicole E
NE
Kanasky
William F
WF
Newton
Robert L
RL
Limacher
Marian C
MC
Martin
A Daniel
AD
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