MAP to Health Pilot Study: A Physical Activity Intervention for Midlife Adults

Development and Proof-of-Concept Trial of a Meaning- and Theory-based Physical Activity Intervention

The study has two aims: (1) to develop and examine the acceptability of the technological and theoretical frameworks of MAP to Health and (2) to determine whether MAP to Health is related to changes in theoretically identified mechanisms of behavior change (meaning salience, basic psychological needs satisfaction, and internal motivation). In an exploratory aim, the study will assess how the intervention and mechanisms of change are related to changes in physical activity. Participants will be adults in midlife (ages 40-64) who are insufficiently active, are interested in increasing physical activity, do not have contraindications to engaging in physical activity, and are patients in a large healthcare system in the Midwest.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Midlife (ages 40-64 at enrollment)
• Able to read and understand English
• Insufficiently active (engaging in ≥10 and ≤90 min of physical activity/week)
• Intention to increase physical activity in the next 30 days
• Has consistent access to a phone with text-messaging capability

Exclusion Criteria:

• Greater than minimal risk to starting a physical activity program (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire score > 0)
• Body Mass Index (BMI)≥ 40
• Currently pregnant
• Has opted out of research
• Diagnosis of metastatic cancer or cardiovascular disease
• Residing in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• Cognitive or psychiatric conditions that preclude completion of questionnaires, including dementia diagnosis
• Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia)
• Diagnosis of substance use disorder or AUDIT-C62 >3 for women or >4 for men