title: The short-term efficacy of a brief motivational intervention designed to increase physical activity among college students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research has shown that many college students do not meet recommended national guidelines for physical activity. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the short-term efficacy of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) designed to increase physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 70 college students who reported low physical activity (83% women, 60% African American). Participants were randomly assigned to either the BMI condition or to an education-only (EO) condition. They completed measures of physical activity at baseline and 1-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those in the BMI condition reported more vigorous-intensity physical activity at a 1-month follow-up than those in the EO condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this study provide preliminary support for the efficacy of a BMI designed to increase physical activity among college students. Future studies should continue to examine and refine the intervention in an effort to improve health-related behaviors among this group.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buscemi
authors.forename: Ashley E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult