Developing more effective health-behavior programs: Analyzing the epidemiological and biological bases for activity and exercise programs

Abstract Analyses of the poor maintenance of health behaviors such as activity and exercise have infrequently considered that behavioral prescriptions may be based on faulty interpretations of epidemiological data, biological theory, and mechanisms resulting in minimally effective interventions. Although affording some health protection, current activity/exercise guidelines have confused the importance of volume of activity with intensity of activity and work and power. As a result, psychologists unwittingly have been promoting activity-and-exercise prescriptions that are time-consuming but afford minimal cardiovascular fitness, strength, or body-composition changes. Because these behavioral prescriptions are at best minimally effective, nonmaintenance becomes a predictable outcome. In contrast, high-intensity training theory provides a universally adaptable basis for the design of efficient and effective behavioral prescriptions for enhancing fitness, strength, and body composition, and may be effectively promoted in campaigns focused on self-mastery and self-efficacy.

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