Promoting physical activity: the contribution of regulatory fit.

BACKGROUND

Existing research primarily focuses on external strategies for promoting physical activity, while the influence of individual characteristics on engagement in physical activities has been largely overlooked. This study aims to explore the impact of combining individual regulatory focus and exercise information frame on cognition, emotion, intention, and behavior based on the regulatory fit theory.

METHODS

In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to read one of two types of exercise information with different frames but the same content after measuring their chronic regulatory focus. Subsequently, they completed a measure of exercise-related cognition, emotion, and intention. Study 2 replicated this by manipulating situational regulatory focus and extended this by tracking participants' actual engagement in physical activity for one week.

RESULTS

Both studies revealed significant interactions between regulatory focus and the information frame on information value, emotional intensity, and behavioral intention, indicating the regulatory fit effect. More importantly, Study 2 found a significant interaction on vigorous physical activity during one week after the manipulation of situational focus.

CONCLUSION

When chronic/situational regulatory focus fit with the exercise information frame, individuals evaluated the exercise information more positively, showed more positive emotions, were more willing to take part in exercise, and engaged in more actual physical activity.