Evaluating the Effectiveness of Values Based Training to Impact Physical Activity in Adults

This study aimed to investigate the use of values based training with typically developing adults to affect levels of physical activity recorded by FitBit Flex technology in the form of step count. Traditional approaches have shown promise but with mixed results. Interestingly, one must look outside of behavior analysis for interventions attempting to affect control by an individual’s covert verbal behavior. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be effective in various behavior change areas by using a values based approach that focuses on the control of rules and their motivative functions. An ACT training protocol (ACTr) consisting of values identification, present moment training, and committed action (goal setting) was implemented across four sessions to teach various tools in an effort to relate personal values to physical activity and create short-term and long-term goals with respect to those values. Results show small to moderate increases in physical activity during intervention with continued increases seen in follow-up. These results support the potential of using values based training to increase physical activity levels