Interaction between Automatic Evaluation, Reflective Processes, and Executive Function in Predicting Physical Activity Behavior

ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among the automatic and reflective processes across four different components of the physical activity (PA) domain (exercise, light-intensity PA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity non-leisure-time PA (MVPA), and sedentary behavior), and how inhibition-control and personality-trait measures moderate these relationships. Methods Sixty-six participants (63% women, 92% students; age (mean ± standard deviation) = 23 ± 8 yr) completed computerized tasks to measure automatic evaluation (AE) of the PA components and inhibition control. Participants also completed questionnaires measuring PA intention and PA self-efficacy, as well as the Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems Scale (BIS/BAS). Participants wore accelerometers for 7 d to measure habitual PA (min per day). Results AE of exercise correlated with time spent in MVPA ( r = 0.28) and sedentary behavior ( r = −0.24; P < 0.05 for both). Both PA intention ( β = 0.30, P = 0.01) and PA self-efficacy ( β = 0.21, P < 0.01) interacted with AE of exercise to predict time spent in MVPA. Inhibition control moderated the relationships between AE of exercise and time spent in MVPA ( β = −0.28, P < 0.01) and sedentary behavior ( β = 0.34, P < 0.01). BIS, a subscale of BIS/BAS, moderated the relationship between AE of exercise and MVPA ( β = −0.24, P < 0.01). Conclusions AE of exercise was significantly and positively correlated with MVPA (min per day), particularly in individuals with strong PA intention and strong PA self-efficacy. In individuals with strong self-efficacy and high inhibition control, more positive AE of exercise manifested in greater levels of PA. In contrast, there was an attenuation of these positive associations among individuals with motivational tendencies to avoid aversive outcomes.