An Outcome-Based Action Study on Changes in Fitness, Blood Lipids, and Exercise Adherence, Using the Disconnected Values (Intervention) Model

Abstract

The authors' purpose in this action study was to examine the effect of a 10-week intervention, using the Disconnected Values Model (DVM), on changes in selected measures of fitness, blood lipids, and exercise adherence among 51 university faculty (10 men and 41 women) from a school in the southeastern United States. The DVM is an intervention model that is intended to provide incentive to replace unhealthy with healthy behavioral patterns. Multivariate Mixed Model analyses indicated significantly improved fitness (ie, cardiovascular, strength, percent body fat) and lipid profile (eg, blood cholesterol, triglycerides) scores between pre- and postintervention on all measures (ps < .05) with the exception of blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ps > .05). Adherence for cardiovascular activity averaged 22 out of 30 sessions (73%), and strength-training adherence averaged 13 out of 20 sessions (65%). The results of this outcome-based study suggest that the DVM provides an effective cognitive-behavioral approach to promoting regular exercise.

Keywords:

• adherence
• disconnected values model
• exercise
• exercise intervention
• lipids
• physical activity