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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
The (over)use of SMART goals for physical activity promotion: A narrative review and critique
Health Psychology Review, Vol.17(2), pp.211-226
2023
PMID: 35094640
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
The SMART acronym (e.g., Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound) is a highly prominent strategy for setting physical activity goals. While it is intuitive, and its practical value has been recognised, the scientific underpinnings of the SMART acronym are less clear. Therefore, we aimed to narratively review and critically examine the scientific underpinnings of the SMART acronym and its application in physical activity promotion. Specifically, our review suggests that the SMART acronym: is not based on scientific theory; is not consistent with empirical evidence; does not consider what type of goal is set; is not applied consistently; is lacking detailed guidance; has redundancy in its criteria; is not being used as originally intended; and has a risk of potentially harmful effects. These issues are likely leading to sub-optimal outcomes, confusion, and inconsistency. Recommendations are provided to guide the field towards better practice and, ultimately, more effective goal setting interventions to help individuals become physically active.
Details
- Title
- The (over)use of SMART goals for physical activity promotion: A narrative review and critique
- Creators
- Christian Swann - Southern Cross UniversityPatricia C Jackman - University of LincolnAlex Lawrence - Southern Cross UniversityRebecca M Hawkins - University of LincolnScott G Goddard - Southern Cross UniversityOllie Williamson - Southern Cross UniversityMatthew J Schweickle - University of WollongongStewart A Vella - University of WollongongSimon Rosenbaum - University of New South WalesPanteleimon Ekkekakis - Iowa State University
- Publication Details
- Health Psychology Review, Vol.17(2), pp.211-226
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Number of pages
- 16
- Identifiers
- 991012994285102368
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; Human Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article