title: Accumulation of behavioral validation evidence for physical activity stage of change.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to accumulate behavioral validity evidence for physical activity Stage of Change (SOC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine studies used a common physical activity SOC measure and examined self-report, objective, and performance physical activity indicators to accumulate behavioral validity evidence for SOC. Type of measure, the strength of the expected relationship between the measure and SOC, and the predicted SOC differences were examined. Validity evidence for the SOC was also examined by population and sampling method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validity evidence for physical activity SOC was classified with respect to the type of measurement instrument and the hypothesized magnitude of the relationship between the measure and the SOC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical activity SOC was found to be behaviorally valid as evidenced by self-reported physical activity, self-reported exercise, self-reported sedentary behaviors, pedometers, and physical functioning. Physical activity SOC does not appear to be related to physical fitness or weight indicators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights a successful multi-site collaboration. Physical activity data from nine large-scale, health trials was combined and accumulated behavioral validation evidence for the physical activity SOC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Laurie-ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hellsten
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nigg
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burbank
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breger
authors.forename: Mathilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coday
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greaney
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Riebe
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toobert
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States