Transtheoretical Model in Sedentary Lifestyle Interventions

Review of the Transtheoretical Model as a Means of Sedentary Lifestyle Intervention Despite the social, health, and personal benefits of exercising, many people still choose not to exercise. 60% of the population is inadequately active or completely inactive (2). Traditional methods of prescribing exercise have not proven effective for increasing and maintaining a program of regular physical activity. Despite many recent technical breakthroughs in healthcare, human behavior remains the largest source of variance in health-related outcomes. Trainers, coaches, and public health employees all want to know how to get through to people who are deemed “couch potatoes” and don’t seem to have any motivation to change their lifestyle choices. People’s health and well being are robustly affected by lifestyle factors such as smoking, hygiene, diet, and physical activity (4). Even though this population knows exercise is the medicine they desperately need there are several barriers to beginning and maintaining a change in fitness commitment such as lack of social support, inclement weather, disruptions in routine, lack of access to facilities, and dislike of vigorous exercise (2). Understanding these underlying issues for resisting change can help to develop intervention programs for populations who are inactive or inadequately inactive according to public health recommendations. Outside of the hospital setting most health care interventions are highly dependent on the patient following their doctors’ orders and buying into the treatment plan. A significant problem is patients not being ready for change and being unable to follow prescribed changes or recommended behaviors over time, thus returning to the doctor time after time for the same issues. The good news is that help for the patient, client, or employee who is not ready for a behavior change is possible through understanding when and what motivational message to use with them. For those patients who are far

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