Development and Evaluation of a Social Cognitive Theory-Based Exercise Intervention in Firefighters: 5-ALARM Fitness Program
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Research from the CDC suggests that as of 2007 25.6% of the respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey are insufficiently active (Galuska et al., 2008).This trend is repeated in firefighters and is of particular interest due to a high rate of deaths due to cardiovascular events in this profession.Inactivity is one of the major risk factors for the development of a number of chronic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (Galuska et al., 2008).Because inactivity is a modifiable behavior, it is of utility to develop and implement interventions to increase exercise.The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact on exercise participation of the 5-ALARM Fitness Program (Five Associated Lifestyle Attributes Regulating Motivation) in a sample of firefighters in suburbs of a large Midwestern Ohio city.A six-week intervention utilizing the theoretical tenets of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was implemented in the firehouse during duty days.Exercise participation was measured by self report before the intervention, at the completion of the intervention, and two weeks following the intervention to determine if exercise increased in either the exercise prescription comparison group or the 5-ALARM Fitness group when compared to the usual care control group.Additionally, SCT constructs were measured (self-efficacy, iii self-regulation, and social support) to determine whether the intervention would increase the constructs.For minutes of moderate and vigorous exercise there was a significant increase in participation both at the six-week post-test and at the one month follow-up testing.There was no significant change in self-efficacy, and there was an increase, although insignificant, in self-regulation and social support.Overall there is support that the intervention has an effect on increasing exercise participation, although there is not evidence that the intervention resulted in increases in the social cognitive theory constructs.help me understand what questions I wanted to answer and how to answer them.Dr. Love, thank you for being so supportive all of the way through my doctoral studies, your moral support was invaluable.You also taught me the practical side of what I can accomplish in the field of health promotion and I cannot wait to move onward to the next chapter and begin work.I would also like to thank my family, Mom, Dad, Gene, Janet, Nick, Cheri, and of course my husband Sean.Thank you all for being supportive and encouraging me when I decided to go back to school again.I do not think I could have made it through the tough spots without your help and encouragement.I would also like to thank my extended family at Livin' Up 2 Wellness Center.Steve Van Dyke had a great positive v influence helped me want to strive to develop better and better programs to help others become and stay healthy.Lastly I would like
Author: Julie Diane Rengert
Institution: The Ohio State University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2598992125