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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
“It Took Away the Trauma of Failing”: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial of an Open Goals Physical Activity Program
Research quarterly for exercise and sport, Vol.96(2), pp.389-400
2025
PMID: 39561292
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Open goals (e.g. to “see how many steps you can reach today”) may be a promising strategy for promoting physical activity. The findings from initial studies, typically based on single sessions of exercise, showed that open goals can produce at least as much activity as specific goals (e.g. to reach 10,000 steps a day), while promoting more positive experiences and higher intentions to repeat the activity, especially among less active individuals. However, the feasibility of using open goals over a longer duration remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examined the feasibility of using open goals in a 10-week step-based physical activity program. A single-arm mixed methods design was used, involving 15 healthy adults (13 female; Mage = 42.53) with low to moderate physical activity levels. Participants were provided with a pedometer, diary, and open goals for each week, alongside brief support sessions. The feasibility domains assessed included recruitment, acceptability, adherence, and retention. Quantitative methods assessed physical activity, enjoyment, and self-efficacy, while supplementary qualitative methods explored participants’ perceptions of open goals. The study showed high recruitment and retention rates, increased physical activity, and positive psychological experiences, indicating the feasibility of the 10-week open-goal program. Secondary outcomes suggest that open goals may function by increasing enjoyment and self-efficacy while decreasing negative outcomes such as pressure, guilt, and failure. The findings indicate that using open goals in longer-term physical activity programs is feasible, expanding on the limitations of previous single-session designs, and offering recommendations for future trials.
Details
- Title
- “It Took Away the Trauma of Failing”: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial of an Open Goals Physical Activity Program
- Creators
- Scott Goddard - Southern Cross UniversityJacqueline Dossetor - Southern Cross UniversitySophia Barry - Southern Cross UniversityAlex Benjamin Lawrence - Southern Cross UniversityChris Stevens - Southern Cross UniversityChristian Swann - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Research quarterly for exercise and sport, Vol.96(2), pp.389-400
- Publisher
- Routledge; ABINGDON
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991013238113802368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article