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AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionsEarly career professionals (ECPs) are a critical target for physical activity (PA) promotion. Affect contributes to an established PA intention-behaviour gap and is pertinent among ECPs.The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based intervention and explore the effects on secondary outcomes (moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), emotion regulation, multi-process action control constructs).Adults aged 25-44 who were employed at least part-time in a desk-based job and not meeting PA guidelines (<150 min MVPA) were recruited and randomized into a 6-week online intervention integrating acceptance and commitment principles and affect regulation strategies, or a control group.Forty adults were recruited and randomized to the web-based intervention (n = 21) and waitlist control (n = 19). The recruitment rate was 29%, retention was 75%, engagement was 68%, and satisfaction was high in both quantitative and qualitative assessment. Participants allocated to the intervention improved MVPA (ηp2=0.30), emotion regulation (ηp2 =0.49), behavioural regulation (ηp2=0.53), affective attitude (ηp2=0.23), identity (ηp2=0.24), and constructs of mindfulness (ηp2=0.44), and valued living (ηp2=0.20).Primary outcomes concerning feasibility were adequate and secondary outcomes improved, suggesting a full-scale randomized controlled trial is feasible with minor modifications. A large-scale study is warranted to establish intervention effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mothers with young children (MYC) are a critical target for physical activity (PA) promotion. Current research on the correlates of PA during early motherhood has generally considered intention as the primary determinant of behaviour, yet the intention-behaviour relationship is often modest. The purpose of this paper was to apply a framework designed to evaluate the intention-behaviour gap, known as multi-process action control (M-PAC), to understand PA among MYC. A community sample of 160 mothers (mean age 34.48; SD = 4.20) of at least one child under five completed M-PAC measures of reflective (instrumental attitude, affective attitude, self-efficacy), regulatory (planning), and reflexive (automaticity, identity) processes as well as intention to engage in PA and behaviour at public health guidelines (150 min/week of moderate or higher intensity). Four intention-behaviour profiles emerged: (a) non-intenders who were not active (21%; n = 34), (b) unsuccessful intenders who failed to perform PA (25%; n = 40), (c) successful intenders who were active (45%; n = 72) and (d) non-intenders who achieved PA (9%; n = 14). A discriminant function analysis [χ2(18) = 63.84, p<0.001; canonical r =.54] showed that planning (r =.67), affective attitude (r =.58), and instrumental attitude (r =.57) distinguished between non-active non-intenders and successful intenders but only self-efficacy (r =.73), habit (r =.67), and identity (r =.65) could predict the intention-behaviour gap. The majority of MYC in this sample had positive PA intentions, yet over a third had a discordant intention-behaviour profile. Interventions focused on increasing self-efficacy and fostering the reflexive processes of habit and identity may be critical to translating intentions into action among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]