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Physical Activity Habit: Complexities and Controversies

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The Psychology of Habit

Abstract

Regular moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity has numerous health benefits, yet low participation rates. Research of the determinants of physical activity and subsequent interventions has primarily focused on deliberative motivational and self-regulatory processes. In this chapter, we overview the current evidence and conception of physical activity habit formation and focus on how more recent research may overcome its past controversial nature among physical activity scientists. Observational evidence is clearly supportive of a relationship between self-reported habit and physical activity, even after controlling for motivational and self-regulatory processes. A more recent separation between the phases (initiation, execution) of physical activity has helped delineate where habit may determine physical activity. Furthermore, separations among different concepts of intention (decision, strength) may help improve our understanding of how deliberative motivation and habit interact and co-determine behavior. While intervention research of habitual physical activity is scarce, early results suggest attending to specific conditions (contextual repetitions, cues, scripts) can expedite and improve the likelihood of habit formation. We conclude the chapter with a discussion of areas for future research including how individual differences may facilitate or impede physical activity habit formation, the potential role of oppositional behavioral habits in physical inactivity, and habitual physical activity among special populations.

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Acknowledgement

R. E. R. is supported by funds from the Canadian Cancer Society, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. A. L. R. is supported by funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioural Medicine Laboratory, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Ryan E. Rhodes

  2. School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

    Amanda L. Rebar

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  2. Amanda L. Rebar
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Correspondence to Ryan E. Rhodes .

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK

    Bas Verplanken

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Rhodes, R.E., Rebar, A.L. (2018). Physical Activity Habit: Complexities and Controversies. In: Verplanken, B. (eds) The Psychology of Habit. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97529-0_6

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