The Effects of a Goal-setting Intervention on Frequency of Participation in Organized Exercise Programmes for Women

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a goal-setting intervention on frequency of participation in women attending exercise programmes in a fitness club.

Study Design: Pragmatic Field Intervention.

Place and Duration of Study: The intervention was implemented in a private fitness club and the duration of the study was 12 weeks.

Methodology: The final sample consisted of 36 women (Mage = 38.13, SD= 7.40), randomly assigned into intervention (n= 17) and control (n= 19) groups. The intervention lasted eight weeks, during which all participants had unlimited access to all activities of their choice, with the intervention group receiving in parallel a goal-setting intervention. Frequency of attendance was recorded from four weeks prior to the onset of the intervention (baseline) until 4 weeks following its completion (follow-up). The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale was used to assess satisfaction of basic needs before and after the intervention.

Results: The results showed that (a) for the intervention group, frequency of participation increased from baseline (2.15±0.90) to mid-intervention (2.66±0.70) period and dropped back to baseline levels at follow-up (1.77+1.30); (b) for the control group, frequency of participation decreased from baseline (2.07±0.99) to intervention (1.37±0.94) period and remained stable at follow-up (1.47±1.42). Regarding the basic needs, it was shown that satisfaction for the need for competence was increased for the experimental group, and satisfaction for the need for autonomy was decreased for the control group.

Conclusion: The findings showed that goal-setting has positive effects on participation for the duration of the intervention; however, these effects were not sustained after its conclusion, suggesting (a) consultants with expertise on goal-setting may help improving adherence in organized programmes, and (b) that such interventions should place emphasis on developing individuals’ skills on goal setting.