Reinforcing implementation intentions with imagery increases physical activity habit strength and behaviour.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Habits may enhance the maintenance of physical activity. The aim of this study is to examine if reinforcing implementation intentions increases habit strength and thus physical activity.

Design

Participants (N = 186) were randomized into one of three intervention conditions (imagery vs. implementation intentions vs. combined; implementation intentions and imagery) and a control condition.

Methods

Participants were instructed to engage in a physical activity that they would like to start doing, or do more of, over a four-week period. Participants completed measures of physical activity, habit strength, and imagery use (imagery and combined conditions only) pre-intervention, weekly during the intervention, post-intervention, and a 12-week follow-up.

Result

SUBMITTER: Divine A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11920387 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature