Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani

Curtin University

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Nikos Ntoumanis

University of Birmingham

120

Eleanor Quested

Curtin University

Daniel F. Gucciardi

Curtin University

Kimberley J. Bartholomew

University of East Anglia

Joan L. Duda

University of Birmingham

Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis

Curtin University

Richard M. Ryan

Australian Catholic University

Vassilis Barkoukis

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Marlene Kritz

Universität für Weiterbildung Krems

Kenneth R Fox

University of Bristol

Cooperative Institutions

Curtin University

Leiden University

Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

Universidad de Navarra

Federal Medical Centre

Centrum voor Landbouw en Milieu

University of Birmingham

University College London

Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology

Institute of Psychology

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Development and feasibility of a mobile phone application designed to support physically inactive employees to increase walking

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (2021)

Joanna Nicholas Nikos Ntoumanis Brendan J. Smith Eleanor Quested Emmanuel Stamatakis

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. We outline the development of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We also explored acceptability, engagement with, associations between app usage and behavioral engagement, and perceived impact of the app in supporting behavior change. Methods Following development, fifty insufficiently physically active employees ( M age = 44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to examine feasibility of the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results Walkers rated the app quality favorably ( M = 3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. Conclusions The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be effective if they target users’ competence and integrate BCTs. Trial Registration : This study was part of a pilot larger randomized controlled trial, in which a component of the intervention involved the use of the mobile app. The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000807257) on 11 May 2018 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375049&isReview=true .

mHealth

Smartphone app

Thematic Analysis

Behavior change methods

Mobile phone

Self-Monitoring

eHealth

Mobile apps

10.1186/s12911-021-01391-3

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Postnatal Exercise Partners Study (PEEPS): a pilot randomized trial of a dyadic physical activity intervention for postpartum mothers and a significant other

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine (2021)

Rachel Margaret Carr Eleanor Quested Andreas Stenling Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Andrew Prestwich

Background: Research suggests dyadic interventions can increase physical activity; such interventions are untested within postpartum parent couples.Methods: A three-armed pilot randomized trial addressed this gap and tested which type of dyadic intervention is most effective. Inactive postpartum mothers and a significant other were recruited in Australia (n = 143 assessed for eligibility) and randomised in a single-blinded fashion (i.e. participants were blinded) to 1 of 3 dyadic conditions involving a single face-to-face session with access to web-based group support: a minimal treatment control (n = 34), collaborative planning group (n = 38), or collaborative planning + need supportive communication group (n = 30). Participants were asked to wear their accelerometers for 8 days and completed self-report measures at baseline, end of intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 12). We expected dyads in the collaborative planning + need supportive communication group would have the greatest increases in Physical Activity (PA), autonomous motivation, and partners' need supportive behaviours; and decreases in controlled motivation and controlling partner behaviours.Results: Results from 51 dyads using Bayesian actor-partner interdependence models provided some evidence for a small positive effect on total PA at follow-up for postpartum mothers in the collaborative planning group and for partners in the collaborative planning + need supportive communication group. Furthermore, partners in the collaborative planning + need supportive communication group were more likely to engage in some vigorous PA. At follow-up, postpartum mothers in the collaborative planning + need supportive communication group scored lower on personal autonomous reasons.Conclusions: The impact of prior specification mean intervention effects need to be interpreted with caution. Progression to a full trial is warranted.

10.1080/21642850.2021.1902815

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Equal prioritisation does not yield lower levels of participation in physical activities than higher prioritisation

Psychology of sport and exercise (2015)

Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis Vassilis Barkoukis Sami Yli‐Piipari Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Nikos Ntoumanis

10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.07.001

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Testing the mediating role of physical acceptance in the relationship between physical activity and self‐esteem: An empirical study with Danish public servants

European Journal of Sport Science (2002)

Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Kenneth R Fox Nikos Ntoumanis

This study examined the mediating role of physical acceptance in the relationship between physical activity and self‐esteem among a sample of Danish public servants. Participants were 148 males and 239 females representing a variety of age groups (the largest group was the 51–55 year olds: n = 88). Questionnaires were administered to measure physical activity, self‐esteem, and physical acceptance. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was carried out to examine the mediating effect of physical acceptance. Following the steps suggested by Kenny (20) to establish mediation, the study found support for a mediating effect of physical acceptance. Furthermore, a MANOVA test revealed that the most physically active participants were significantly more physically satisfied than 3 other less physically active groups. The results suggest that physical acceptance should be taken into consideration when examining the mechanisms by which physical activity may improve mental health and well‐being.

Danish

10.1080/17461390200072501

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"Step by Step". A feasibility study of a lunchtime walking intervention designed to increase walking, improve mental well-being and work performance in sedentary employees: Rationale and study design

BMC Public Health (2010)

Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Elizabeth A Loughren Joan L. Duda Kenneth R Fox Florence‐Emilie Kinnafick

Following an extensive recruitment campaign, a 16-week lunchtime intervention to increase walking was implemented with insufficiently physically active University employees to examine programme feasibility and the effects of the programme in increasing walking behaviour, and in improving well-being and work performance. A feasibility study in which participants were randomised to an immediate treatment or a delayed treatment control (to start at 10 weeks) group. For the first ten weeks of the intervention, participants took part in three facilitator-led group walks per week each of thirty minutes duration and were challenged to accumulate another sixty minutes of walking during the weekends. In the second phase of the intervention, the organised group walks ceased to be offered and participants were encouraged to self-organise their walks. Motivational principles were employed using contemporary motivational theory. Outcome measures (including self-reported walking, step counts, cardiovascular fitness, general and work-related well-being and work performance) were assessed at baseline, at the end of the 16-week intervention and (for some) four months after the end of the intervention. Process and outcome assessments were also taken throughout, and following, the intervention. The results of the intervention will determine the feasibility of implementing a lunchtime walking programme to increase walking behaviour, well-being and performance in sedentary employees. If successful, there is scope to implement definitive trials across a range of worksites with the aim of improving both employee and organisational health. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN81504663.

Facilitator

Pedometer

Biostatistics

10.1186/1471-2458-10-578

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Citations (25)

Perceptions of Group-Based Walks and Strategies to Inform the Development of an Intervention in Retirement Villages: Perspectives of Residents and Village Managers

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (2016)

Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Nikos Ntoumanis Hannah Uren Afroditi Stathi Catrina Wold

The aim of the current study was to explore perceptions of group-based walking and gather suggestions to inform the development of a group-based walking intervention among older adults in retirement villages. Twenty-four physically inactive residents (16 female, 8 male; age range: 69–88) and four managers from four retirement villages were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis revealed six broad themes: lack of motivation, values versus constraints, fears and confidence, need for structure, creating a sense of belonging, and the physical environment as a double-edged sword. Proposed intervention strategies included using trained walk leaders, using small groups, planning for flexibility, setting attainable goals, creating a routine, creating opportunities for sharing experiences, and planning a variety of walks. Group-based walking programs may be used to promote physical activity but careful planning of such programs is needed to make them appealing and feasible to a diverse group of residents.

10.1123/japa.2015-0138

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Citations (8)

Physical activity interventions in the workplace: implementation, evaluation and challenges

Florence‐Emilie Kinnafick Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani Joan L. Duda Elizabeth A Loughren Kenneth R Fox

Due to a variety of factors, it is notoriously difficult to implement effective physical activity interventions in the workplace.The aim of the proposed symposium is to highlight relevant issues and challenges associated with implementing rather novel workplace physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity participation and psychological well-being among sedentary employees.The studies presented will have used a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to a) highlight issues of implementation and feasibility, b) evaluate the effectiveness of a specific intervention, c) examine potential mechanisms underlying physical activity adoption and adherence and d) discuss pertinent challenges in changing physical activity behaviour in the workplace. The first paper discusses components of, and challenges associated with, the design and implementation of a 16-week lunchtime walking interventions with sedentary employees. The second presentation provides a summary of the evaluation of the above mentioned intervention using quantitative methods.The third presentation uses a qualitative approach to tap into potential mechanisms underpinning physical activity behaviour change in sedentary employees. Using examples from international research, the final presentation considers how aspects of work culture can act as both a promoter and inhibitor of physical activity engagement in the workplace.This series of studies show that the workplace is a viable, but also very challenging, setting for promoting physical activity among a large segment of the adult working population.

Presentation (obstetrics)

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Self-compassion, body appreciation, and eating disorder symptoms: A diary study

Research Square (Research Square) (2024)

Rachel Batchelor Bree O'Leary Sarah J. Egan Cecilie Thøgersen‐Ntoumani

Abstract Purpose Body image concerns and disordered eating are common among young adults. Previous research has shown that self-compassion is associated with less disordered eating and greater body appreciation. However, the majority of this research has examined between-person associations. The aim of this study was to examine dynamic within-person associations between self-compassion, body appreciation, and disordered eating in young adults. Methods Fifty-seven participants (40 females, 17 males) (mean = 25.28, standard deviation = 3.09, age range 18–30 years) aiming to lose weight reported their levels of self-compassion, body appreciation, and disordered eating twice daily over a one-week period. Results The findings showed that when participants were more self-compassionate, they expressed more body appreciation and engaged in less disordered eating. Further, when participants reported higher levels of body appreciation, they reported engaging in less disordered eating. Conclusion The findings suggest that further research should examine whether fostering self-compassion and body appreciation may be putative targets to reduce disordered eating in young adults who aim to lose weight. Level of evidence Level III Evidence obtained from welldesigned cohort or case control analytic studies.

Self-Compassion

Compassion

10.21203/rs.3.rs-5359735/v1

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A Classification System for Teachers’ Motivational Behaviours Recommended in Self-Determination Theory Interventions

Asghar Ahmadi Michael Noetel Philip D. Parker Richard M. Ryan Nikos Ntoumanis

Teachers’ behaviour is a key factor that influences students’ motivation. Many theoretical models have tried to explain this influence, with one of the most thoroughly researched being self-determination theory (SDT). We used a Delphi method to create a classification of teacher behaviours consistent with SDT. This is useful because SDT-based interventions have been widely used to improve educational outcomes. However, these interventions contain many components. Reliably classifying and labelling those components is essential for implementation, reproducibility, and evidence synthesis. We used an international expert panel (N = 34) to develop this classification system. We started by identifying behaviours from existing literature, then refined labels, descriptions, and examples using the experts’ input. Next, these experts iteratively rated the relevance of each behaviour to SDT, the psychological need that each behaviour influenced, and its likely effect on motivation. To create a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of behaviours, experts nominated overlapping behaviours that were redundant, and suggested new ones missing from the classification. After three rounds, the expert panel agreed upon 57 teacher motivational behaviours that were consistent with SDT. For most behaviours (77%), experts reached consensus on both the most relevant psychological need and influence on motivation. Our classification system provides a comprehensive list of teacher motivational behaviours and consistent terminology in how those behaviours are labelled. Researchers and practitioners designing interventions could use these behaviours to design interventions, to reproduce interventions, to assess whether these behaviours moderate intervention effects, and could focus new research on areas where experts disagreed. Educational impact and implications statementThe things teachers do in class have an important influence on their students’ motivation, engagement, and learning. This study uses an international expert panel to identify the teacher behaviours most likely to influence motivation—specifically, teacher behaviours that increase the more healthy, autonomous motivation that comes from within students. This list of behaviours, agreed upon by the experts, could be used by teachers trying to improve their practice, policymakers trying to scale interventions, and researchers trying to assess which behaviours best predict student outcomes.

10.31234/osf.io/4vrym_v1

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Solo or team? A meta-analysis of individual vs. group-based studies on physical activity, functional, psychosocial, and health outcomes.

Research Square (Research Square) (2025)

Marlene Kritz Hugh Riddell Deborah Olsen Samantha Harden Shauna M. Burke

Abstract Social influences, such as group dynamics, social norms, and peer support are assumed to influence physical activity (PA). Burke et al. (2006) found that “true groups” (i.e., those using group dynamics principles) had advantages over other group conditions in terms of PA. Given technological advances and the rise of virtual exercise platforms, we aimed to update and extend these findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of 71 studies (523 effect sizes), primarily experimental (95%), comparing individual and group-based PA conditions on outcomes including PA levels, functional assessments (e.g., flexibility, strength), psychosocial measures (e.g., quality of life, loneliness), and health indices (e.g., body mass index). Using a three-level random-effects model, group-based conditions showed a small but non-significant advantage over individual conditions for PA (g = .071, p = .642), psychosocial (g = .292, p = .214), and health outcomes (g = .125, p = .096). For functional outcomes, a small but significant advantage for groups emerged after outlier removal (g = .164, p = .015). Moderation analysis showed that different types of groups resulted in similar outcomes. The only exception was for “true groups”, whose effect size predicting health outcomes was larger compared to the effect sizes for other group types. Both individual and group -based approaches (in-person or online) may be effective for PA promotion. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms that optimise each approach for specific populations and settings. Review registration: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021271452)

Physical health

10.21203/rs.3.rs-5944636/v1

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