The Extended Theory of Planned Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2025.748Keywords:
Theory of planned behavior, physical activity, college students, motivational intervention, volitional interventionAbstract
Background and Objective: Some evidence has suggested a significant decrease in physical activity (PA) during college, putting students at a higher risk of health issues. The purpose of this study was to test Gourlan and colleagues’ (2019) two-step Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) intervention on TPB variables and PA behavior in college students. Design: Undergraduate students (n = 63, 46 females) were assigned to one of four conditions: motivational intervention, volitional intervention, volitional plus motivational intervention, and control. The motivational intervention aimed to increase participants’ attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. The volitional intervention educated participant on the infrastructures available to use for PA and then asked participants to create an action plan for engaging in PA. Subjective PA and the TPB constructs were measured at baseline, mid-intervention (week 4), and post-intervention (week 7). Results: Despite no significant differences between conditions, the volitional intervention appeared to be effective at maintaining or increasing attitudes, subjective norms, intentions, and perceived strenuous PA in already active college students. Interestingly, we observed that students were underestimating their PA when compared to objective data. Discussion and Conclusions: This study offers preliminary evidence regarding the volitional intervention, and provides researchers with guidelines for future research. College students who meet the recommended PA guidelines tend to underestimate their PA. Future research investigating the efficacy of the two-step TBD intervention should focus on less active populations.
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