Decreasing Disparities in Physical Activity: An Intervention Based on Self-Determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing

The mental and physical benefits of physical activity are well-established. However, there is a racial disparity in exercise, such that minorities are much less likely to engage in physical activity than are white individuals. Research suggests that a lack of motivation may be an important barrier to physical activity for racial minorities. Therefore, interventions which increase participants' motivation may be especially useful in promoting physical activity within these groups. A previous meta-analysis has found that physical activity interventions based on self-determination theory (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI) are especially effective in increasing white individuals' physical activity (Miller & Gramzow, under review). However, it remains unclear the extent to which these results apply to minority populations. The current study involves conducting an intervention based on SDT and MI to promote physical activity in a racially-diverse sample. It is expected that this intervention will successfully increase physical activity in participants. Specifically, it is expected that there will be a greater relative increase in physical activity in minority individuals than white individuals within the intervention group because it is expected that their level of activity will be lower at baseline.