Transtheoretical model for designing technologies supporting an active lifestyle

Abstract

There has been considerable research on methods of fostering behavioral change towards a healthy lifestyle. However, enabling this change to be consistent and long-standing remains an open challenge. In this paper, we explore how the design of persuasive technologies supporting a physically active lifestyle can be oriented by psychological theories of behavior change and motivation, specifically the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). In this study, we explore the relationships between participants' motivation, their current stage of the TTM and how well they perform at different physical exercises related to specific body areas. Our results support previous research carried out in the exercise context and in other domains, and suggest that it would be advantageous for a mobile interface to adopt different persuasive mechanisms for users at different stages of the TTM. Finally, we explore different intervention strategies which could be implemented in each TTM stage to sustain a consistent behavioral change toward a physically active lifestyle.