Running head: DOCUMENTING EXERCISE

Documenting Exercise: Does creating a Detailed Plan Make it Easier to Follow Through?
Touro University Nevada
Lauren M. Hoppe, Emily E. Matthews, Kristen D. Kincaid, Jaimee D. Perea, Megan J.
Lawrence, Alicia A. Ellingson

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Results
A convenience population of first year, full time occupational therapy students was
recruited for the study. All students are enrolled in a research course at Touro University Nevada.
The participants recorded their personal exercise data over the period of one week spanning
Thursday, September 19, 2013 to September 26, 2013. The time frame included a higher
percentage of days without scheduled in-class sessions than a typical week for the participants.
Students did not attend school during half of the dates of measured (September 19th -22nd), which
provided them greater opportunity to engage in physical activity.
The study began with 31 participants with no refusals. Upon completion, a 3% attrition
rate was calculated. The participants were split into Group A and Group B with initial diaries
including basic and detailed planning respectively. Simple random sampling was utilized to
separate the participants. The two groups were unequal upon completion with a Group A (16
participants) and Group B (15 participants).
Demographically, the population studied ranges from 22-55 years of age. However, the
majority of the people, 87%, sampled are under the age of 30. Both genders are represented in
the study, 26.6% male and 73.4% female. The majority of the students moved to Las Vegas for
graduate studies at Touro University Nevada from the west and southwest United States.
The participants completed a diary of their physical activity before and after exercise
completion. The diaries were collected and analyzed using a seven point number scale. The
diaries were analyzed by planned participant commitment versus their actual exercise outcome.
Points were added for each day that proved initial commitment and follow-through, exercise or
no exercise. The research team also measured the frequency of physical activity after use of an
exercise plan.

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Two aspects were investigated to see if any relationship exists between the basic and
detailed physical activity plans. The first aspect involved measuring the adherence to a set
workout schedule. For example, if a participant planned to exercise on Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, their adherence to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday were measured. The second analysis
focused on the frequency of exercising, despite adherence to a specific day. If the participant
anticipated exercise three days in a week, and they actually worked out three days, they were
rated as adhering to their plan, no matter what day they exercised. These two aspects of our
research were analyzed by providing a numeric value to their respective focus (how many days
were the same in pre-workout plan/ post report, frequency of weekly workout in preworkout/post report). The use of a t-test was then utilized to determine relationships among the
two groups.
Data Analysis
Two separate aspects of the study were investigated to determine if a relationship exists
between the participants physical activity plan and the exercise individuals actually engaged in.
First, the researchers determined if the detailed physical activity plan increased the likelihood
that subjects would participate in exercise on the specific day documented. After the data was
collected, the research team used a two tailed t-test with a level of significance at the .05 level.
Differences between the two groups were tested once and therefore the t-test for independent
values was applied. The t value was computed to be .16 with a critical value of 2.05 as seen in
Table 1 (T30= .16, p> .05). The null hypothesis for this study states there is no statistical
difference between the group who completed the detailed physical activity plan and the group
with the basic physical activity plan. Based on the information analyzed, the results were not
significant at the .05 level, thus the null hypothesis was accepted.

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Next, researchers examined the results to see if the subjects who completed the detailed
physical activity plan were more likely to engage in physical activity, regardless of the day
specified. The null hypothesis stated that a detailed physical activity plan did not increase the
frequency that participants exercised throughout the week. In order to test the null hypothesis, we
completed four separate two tailed t-test with a level of significance at the .05 level. These tests
compared the following: the predicted exercise frequency of the two groups prior to the study,
the actual exercise frequency of the two groups after the study, and the frequency within each
group pre-study and post-study. The null hypothesis had to be accepted after analyzing the data.
The findings showed that there was no statistical difference between Group A and Group B, as
seen in table 2, prior to the study, p=.27, or after study, p=.16. Furthermore, each group was
analyzed internally for pre-study and post-study data. The p value for the basic physical activity
plan was .27, while the detailed physical activity plan was a p of .21. This indicated that neither
the basic nor detailed physical activity plan had a statistically significant effect on the frequency
in which clients engaged in exercise. Consequently, we concluded the study did not produce any
clinically significant findings. The post-study statistical analysis of both groups showed no
statistical significance as illustrated in Table 4.

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Table 1
Adherence to Exercise Plans
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal
Variances
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal
Variances
Variab
le 1
Mean
Variance
Observations
Hypothesized Mean
Difference
df
t Stat
P(T<=t) one-tail
t Critical one-tail
P(T<=t) two-tail
t Critical two-tail

3.625
2.25
16
0
28
1.443
68
0.079
963
1.701
131
0.159
925
2.048
407

Variab
le 2
4.357
143 Mean
1.631
868 Variance
14 Observations
Hypothesized Mean Difference
df
t Stat
P(T<=t) one-tail
t Critical one-tail
P(T<=t) two-tail
t Critical two-tail

Table 1 This table represents the initial data analysis of the seven point scale.

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Table 2
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal
Variances

Mean
Variance
Observations
Hypothesized Mean
Difference
Df
t Stat
P(T<=t) one-tail
t Critical one-tail
P(T<=t) two-tail
t Critical two-tail

Variable 1
3.6875
4.4958333
33
16

Variable 2
2.875
3.716666667
16

0
30
1.1340851
66
0.1328700
31
1.6972608
87
0.2657400
61
2.0422724
56

Table 2 illustrates the statistical analysis of the frequency-based data prior to the
study.

Table 3
t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Unequal Variances

Mean
Variance
Observations
Hypothesized Mean Difference
Df
t Stat
P(T<=t) one-tail
t Critical one-tail
P(T<=t) two-tail
t Critical two-tail

Variable 1
4.5
2.115384615
14
0
26
1.289342504
0.104315924
1.70561792
0.208631848
2.055529439

Table 3 shows post-study statistical analysis of

frequency-based data.

Variable 2
3.785714286
2.181318681
14

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Table 4
Data Analysis Between Basic and Detailed
Exercise Plan

Mean
Variance
Observations
Hypothesized Mean Difference
df
t Stat
P(T<=t) one-tail
t Critical one-tail
P(T<=t) two-tail
t Critical two-tail

Variable 1
2.875
3.716666667
16
0
28
1.461875027
0.077454536
1.701130934
0.154909073
2.048407142

Variable 2
3.785714286
2.181318681
14

Table 4 displays the post-study statistical analysis between Group A and Group B.

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Discussion
The research team hypothesized that individuals who emphasize greater detail in their
pre-planned workout activities are more likely to maintain outlined commitments. The data
collected matched the hypothesis. However, there
was no statistical significance found in this
research study. Exercise participation provides
both mental and physical benefits. Every individual
can benefit from exercise no matter their age,
culture, gender, size or shape. Discipline and
motivation have potential to support or inhibit
regular exercise. Physical activity plans have often
been researched as increasing commitment to
exercise. A prior study researched the generation
of goals in relation to the activity follow-through.
It was discovered goals may not provide
motivational benefit to every individual. However,
setting goals appears to result in a higher level of

Figure 1
Rate of Perceived Exertion
This figure illustrates how individuals
self-rate their level of exertion during
physical activity

commitment (Basset & Petrie, 1999). The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness
of a physical activity plan in association to exercise commitment.

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Physical benefits of exercise include: weight control, cardiovascular health, reduced

instance of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, strengthening of bones and muscles,
improved abilities to do daily activities, fall prevention, and increase lifespan. Recommendation
to reap these physical benefits is 150 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly with two days devoted
to weight-bearing exercise (How much physical, 2011). Mental benefits of exercise include
the following: reduction in stress levels and tension, improved sleep, better focus, less
anger, natural energy booster, a sense of achievement, and a healthier appetite.
This study was designed in preparation for a double group pre-post design study. It
utilized a convenience sample of occupational therapy students at Touro University Nevada.
Random sampling of a convenience group compiled of Touro first year occupational
therapist students were used for the study. The six members of the research group were excluded
from the study. Participants were split into two groups. The first group was assigned to make a
detailed physical activity plan to map their workout for the next week. This plan included day,
time, location, type of workout, and if the participant planned on working out with a partner.
The second group was assigned to the basic physical activity plan for the following weeks
exercise. The basic physical activity plan simply required the participants to check off each day
of the week they planned to engage in physical activity. Both groups were provided with groupspecific diary templates to encourage consistency.
After the measured week, the participants were provided with a second template and
asked to provide details of their exercise from the prior week. The commitment of planned
physical activity and the exercise diary were analyzed on a seven point number scale. One point
was given pertaining to individual days proving follow-through-- with or without exercise.

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Additionally, the research team measured the level of frequency provided by creating a workout
diary.
Procedures
Each participant will first track their plan to work out on one of two tables table provided.
Group A, the basic physical activity plan, will simply mark the box for the day(s) of the week
they plan to exercise. Group B, the detailed physical activity plan, will fill out a more detailed
workout plan consisting of planned time, place, duration, partner, and expected RPE. The
following week, both groups will fill out the same workout diary to record the day of the week,
time, place, duration, partner, exercise type, and actual RPE reflecting their workout patterns of
the previous week.
The study did not find statistically significantly results to support our hypothesis that a
detailed physical activity plan will increase the likelihood of working on planned days. However,
results did support a clinically significant difference between the two groups. Although no
studies were found that mirrored the one we performed, some studies were found with similar
attributes. The research article entitled The Effect of Treatment Goals on Patient Compliance
with Physiotherapy Exercise Programs was similar to this specific study. The results concluded
that goals set collaboratively provide greater meaning thus leading to a higher level of treatment
compliance than therapist-mandated goals (Basset & Petrie, 1999). In comparison to the
aforementioned research article, the study we conducted did not result in higher compliance of
exercise by the group with the detailed physical activity plan. They study concluded that no
statistically significant link existed between the more detailed
A pilot study of dog walking randomized intervention: Effects of a Focus on Canine
Exercise shows similarities to the exercise study. Instead of using a detailed physical activity

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plan for a modality to increase exercise activity, this research article uses a canine companion.
This study promoted canine walking in order to improve the health of the animal, consequently
increasing physical activity of the dog owner as well (Rhodes, Murray, Temple, Tuokko, &
Higgins, 2012) Instead of using canine health to promote physical activity, the exercise study
focused on participants providing a detailed physical activity plan of their workout.
Surprising findings were discovered throughout the study. The outcomes were not as
drastic as expected despite the hypothesis being correct. The participants who utilized the
detailed physical activity plan showed increased commitment to the plan. However, the results
concluded there was a statistically significant difference between Groups A and B. In addition,
multiple methods were found to interpret the data which proved to be an unexpected factor.
The first aim of the study was to determine whether there was a correlation between the
creation of a detailed physical activity plan and commitment to exercise proposal. Participant
utilization of the detailed physical activity plan showed clinical significance but not statistical
significance. The research team then measured the frequency of days that participants engaged in
an exercise. Yet again, there was no statistical significance found. The hypothesis stated
development of a detailed physical activity plan would demonstrate greater commitment to
exercise. The hypothesis was verified yet lacked statistical significance.
Motivation has the potential to create a barrier to implementation of a workout
intervention. The study focused on adherence to a completed physical activity plan. Also, the
variability of physical activity levels across participants would make it difficult to implement an
effective workout intervention.
The recruitment strategy of the study created another barrier. The convenience sample
included students of the same cohort and furthermore the same schedule. This created similar

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timing and situations for all students based on the week measured thus generating risk of similar
results.
Limitations
The participants were provided with an initial template to complete a physical activity
plan for the following week. They recalled details of their personal exercise outcomes from the
prior week rather than recording daily. This method required memory of the prior weeks
workout history; consequently, the extra requirement may have resulted in a skewed outcome
thus causing a lack of internal validity.
Initiation of the exercise week was not clearly stated on the physical activity plan
template. Therefore, many participants began their planned workout on Tuesday, September 17
instead of Thursday, September 19th which caused inconsistency of the obtained data.
There was a threat of external validity due to the population studied. The sample provided
was a convenience population, which provided limited diversity with the sample majority
consisting of Caucasian females. Moreover, all recruits are enrolled in the same occupational
therapy cohort. Due to high participant interaction, less discretion between the two groups
existed. Other students in the cohort were also in the process of conducting their research.
Furthermore, this created divided attention within participation.
The research hypothesis was verified. However, the data did not support statistical
significance of the study. There was not a strong correlation that detailed physical activity plan
will increase adherence to those workout plans. There was minimal confirmation of the
hypothesis resulting in potential for future research.

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For future research, a larger and more diverse population is suggested. Also, recruiting
participants not currently partaking in other research studies simultaneously is important. It may
also be beneficial to find participants who are motivated to commit to their physical activity
plans. Future studies should provide the participant with a copy of their physical activity plan in
order to increase commitment to exercise.
Due to the demographic and size of the population, the study was limited and would not
be generalizable to other populations. Furthermore, all participants are currently in an accelerated
graduate program at Touro University, which does not allow a lot of free time for outside
activities including physical activity. These participants were also not all looking to increase their
participation in exercise so it may not have been a priority to increase in planned exercise. This
specificity of the population may limit the generalizability to other populations.

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References
Basset,S., & Petrie, K.(1999) The Effect of Treatment Goals on Patient Compliance with
Physiotherapy Exercise Programs. Physiotherapy, 85(3). Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031940605656933
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (2011). Physical exercise and health. Retrieved from
website: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/health/
Rhodes, R. E., Murray, H., Temple, V. A., Tuokko, H., & Higgins, J.W. (2012). Pilot study of a
dog walking randomized intervention: Effects of a focus on canine exercise. Preventative
Medicine, 54(5), 309-312. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.02.014
Roig, M., Skriver, K., Lundbye-Jensen, J., Kiens, B., & Nielsen, J.B. (2012). A Single Bout of
Exercise Improves Motor Memory. PLoS ONE, 7(9), e44594.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0044594
Weir, K. (2011). The Exercise Effect. American Psychological Association, 42(11), 48.
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspx