The Impact of a Theory-Based Education on Physical Activity among ‘Health Volunteers’: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of all-cause mortality. This study aimed to assess the impact of a theory-based education on PA among female health volunteers in Iran by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior. Materials Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on female health volunteers in Shushtar, Iran, from March to December 2016. One hundred ten participants were selected by purposive sampling, and they were randomized into intervention and control groups based on a 1:1 ratio in a single block. The intervention included three educational sessions and a walking program. A multi-section questionnaire containing items on TPB constructs, the international physical activity questionnaire, and the physiological cost index (PCI- an objective measure of PA) was used to collect the data at baseline and six-month follow up assessments. Then the data were compared within and between groups using t-test and paired test using SPSS 19 software. Findings All 110 ‘Health Volunteers’ (55 in each group) were entered into the study. The mean±SD age of participants was 35.65±10.25 years. The results obtained from the analysis showed that the educational program improved attitude towards PA, perceived behavioral control, intention, behavior, and PCI among the intervention group (p 0.001). However, no significant changes occurred in the control group regarding the study variables (p 0.05). Conclusion The TPB-directed educational program improved physical activity and physiological cost index. The study framework might be used as a practical template for interventions aimed at improving physical activity among female health volunteers.