Introduction
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause 74% of deaths worldwide, with cardiovascular diseases leading the way with 17.9 million deaths annually. The causes of NCD’s are mostly linked to nutrition, smoking, alcohol, and lack of physical activity. In Austria only 22.8% (age 30-44 years) or 20% (age 45-65 years) of adults meet the World Health Organization physical activity guidelines, which are 150-300 minutes moderate physical activity per week. The aim of the study conducted in the Stubaital was to integrate personalized physical activity into everyday life, accompanied by exercise experts for 4 months, to evaluate the impact of personalized support on lifestyle and health. The master thesis explores the relevance of personality and physical activity background on a supervised physical activity behavior based on personalized programs by sport scientists. The term physical activity is used when people have already been physically active regularly for more than a year during their life.
Methods
16 participants (4 men, 12 women) with an average age of 44.9 years were recruited who did not meet the recommendations for physical activity as measured by their physician during physical check-ups. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Interviews (that contained information about the physical activity background) and medical information were recorded before and after the exercise intervention. Participant motivation was assessed using a Likert scale before and after the intervention and every two weeks during the intervention using video calls. Activity minutes were recorded using the Garmin watch worn by the participants throughout the study intervention and could be reviewed via the Garmin Connect app. The participants' personality traits were measured before the study intervention using the Big Five Inventory questionnaire.
Results
Significant weight (p=0.001) and BMI reductions (p=0.022) were observed during the exercise intervention. There was no significant difference in motivation or minutes of activity between participants with and without a physical activity background. However, the data regarding the physical activity background and the activity minutes indicated a gender difference, particularly a potentially strong negative correlation of both variables in the male gender. A potential slight positive correlation was observed between Conscientiousness and Motivation (Conscientiousness: r=0.434, p=0.093). There was no consistent correlation between personality traits and minutes of activity - but a possible slight negative correlation between openness and minutes of activity (r=-0.384, p=0.142) and a slight positive correlation between conscientiousness and minutes of activity (r=0.460, p=0.073). The most common reasons for giving up physical activity were Covid, children and lack of motivation. The qualitative interviews revealed overlap in individual motivators (exercise effectiveness, coach, social aspects, tracking, watch and others) and barriers (lack of time, overcoming self, weather, health limitations, reaching intensity minute goal and others) to exercise. 69% of participants indicated that the combination of personal coaching from the coach and tracking via the Garmin watch was key to their motivation.
Discussion
All participants achieved the activity level recommended by the WHO. Significant weight and BMI reductions after the exercise intervention indicate its effectiveness. No clear link was found between physical activity background and motivation or activity minutes. In addition, no significant correlations were found between personality traits and motivation or activity minutes. The role of the trainer as a supporter, giving individualized advice and creating a supportive environment, proved to be crucial for training success.
Conclusion
The study represents an extension of existing knowledge, as it successfully applies the aspects of personal coaching combined with a tracking device and includes both personality and physical activity background. It was established that the combination of personal coaching and the Garmin watch is valuable. Physical activity aims were achieved and significant effects on weight loss and BMI were observed. Individual motivators and barriers are key for motivation and activity minutes. Regardless of exercise background and personality, the goal was achieved by all study participants, not least because of the support from the coach. Individual coaching is an indispensable element in prevention to change from an inactive to an active lifestyle.