title: The added value of a brief self-efficacy coaching on the effectiveness of a 12-week physical activity program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Self-efficacy has been found to be an important precondition for behavioral change in sedentary people. The current study examined the effectiveness and added value of including a 15-minute self-efficacy coaching at the start of a 12-week lifestyle physical activity (PA) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to a standard-intervention group (without additional self-efficacy coaching, N = 116) or extra-intervention group (with additional self-efficacy coaching, N = 111). Body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular fitness, self-reported PA, and self-efficacy beliefs were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention period. Perceived adherence to the PA program was assessed postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At posttest, a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness and decrease in BMI were found in both groups. Significant intervention effects emerged on PA behavior, self-efficacy, and program adherence, in favor of the extra-intervention group. Self-efficacy mediated the intervention effect on program adherence whereas no evidence was found for its role as mediator of PA change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding a 15-minute self-efficacy coaching at the start of a lifestyle PA program is a promising strategy to enhance the intervention effects on PA behavior, self-efficacy beliefs, and program adherence. However, the role of self-efficacy as mediator of the intervention effect on in PA was not fully supported.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Kinesiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seghers
authors.forename: Ann-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Van Hoecke
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schotte
authors.forename: Joke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Opdenacker
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D055686:Metabolic Equivalent / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult