What is the best way to change self-efficacyto promote lifestyle and recreational physicalactivity? A systematic review with meta-analysis

摘要

Purpose. Increasing self-efficacy is an effective method to increase physical activity.Despite this, the evidence concerning the most effective techniques to increase self-efficacy in physical activity intervention has not been systematically reviewed. The aimof the present research is to systematically gather, and meta-analyse, interventionstudies which aimed to increase self-efficacy for physical activity; to estimate theassociation between intervention techniques used, and change in self-efficacy achieved.Methods. A systematic database search was conducted for papers reportinglifestyle or recreational physical activity interventions. Published intervention studiesexplicitly targeting self-efficacy in order to change physical activity behaviour in `healthy'adults were eligible for inclusion. Results. The search strategy identified 27 unique physical activity interventionstudies, with a total of 5,501 participants. A significant, yet small, relationship betweenthe interventions and changes in self-efficacy was found (mean d 0.16, p < .001).Owing to significant heterogeneity, moderator analyses were conducted, examiningthe association of changes in self-efficacy with whether or not specific interventiontechniques were used. Interventions that included feedback on past or others'performance produced the highest levels of self-efficacy found in this review. Vicariousexperience was also associated with higher levels of self-efficacy. Persuasion, gradedmastery, and barrier identification were associated with lower levels of self-efficacy.Conclusions. This meta-analysis forms an evidence base for which psychologicaltechniques are most effective in increasing self-efficacy for physical activity. The resultsare presented in terms of recommendations for those developing interventions anddirections for future research.