A survey of Transitional Shifts in Physical Activity Behavior among Employees of Birjand Universities Based on Transtheoretical Model, A Longitudinal Study, Iran, 2014

Abstract Introduction: Trans theoretical model (TTM) is one of the models applied to assess the physical activity behavior. One of the criticisms leveled at studies conducted on the trans theoretical model is that majority of them have employed cross-sectional designs so that they fail to show the dynamic nature of change. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate transitional shifts in Physical Activity Behavior among employees of Birjand universities based on Transtheoretical Model. Materials & Methods: This prospective study with six months of follow-up was conducted on 200 employees of Research and Education departments of Birjand Universities of medical sciences. A total number of 179 participants completed the questionnaires at two time periods, i.e., at the baseline and six months later. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and constructs of Transtheoretical model which was completed by using the self-reported method. Results: Transitional shifts in physical activity behavior were classified into four patterns: stable sedentary (26.3%), stable active (39.1%), exercise adopters (12%), and exercise relapsers (22.6%). Stable active group had a significant decrease in the mean score of pros. Exercise adopters had a significant increase in the mean scores of self-efficacy and pros. Also, significant decreases were observed in the mean scores of behavioral processes, cognitive processes, and self-efficacy among exercise relapsers. Mean scores of the pros, self-efficacy, behavioral and cognitive processes at the baseline and follow-up showed significant differences between the four patterns. Conclus ion: The results of this study provided partial support for internal validity of TTM. It seems that interventions based on this model can be effective in adopting and maintaining physical activity behavior.