Watching and participating in exercise videos: A test of the theory of planned behaviour, conscientiousness, and the role of implementation intentions

Abstract

This study tested an expanded model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting intentions, and behaviour, to watch and actively engage in a short exercise video. Eighty participants completed questionnaire measures of the TPB, conscientiousness and self-concordance. Forty participants were randomly allocated to form an implementation intention by stipulating in writing when and where they intended to watch the video during the subsequent three days. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed subjective norms and perceived behavioural control to be the key predictors of intention. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed direct effects of intention and implementation intentions on behaviour. In addition, conscientiousness interacted with implementation intentions. However, contrary to expectations, conscientiousness failed to predict behaviour among the implementation intention group and negatively predicted behaviour among controls. The current results suggest that the formation of an implementation intention is a powerful technique for facilitating the performance of health behaviour.

Keywords:

• Theory of planned behaviour
• conscientiousness
• implementation intentions
• self-congruence

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this article.