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Date Permissions Signed

5-13-2011

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Health and Human Development

First Advisor

Vernacchia, Ralph A., 1945-

Second Advisor

Chalmers, Gordon R.

Third Advisor

Martin, LeaAnn

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects a goal setting program had on exercise commitment and aerobic fitness among university students. Obesity and a lack of sufficient physical activity continue to be a problematic and increasing epidemic in the United States. Some theorists have utilized goal setting as an intervention to increase commitment effectiveness of exercise participants. In the current study, a two-way between-within experimental design was utilized involving two separate physical education activity classes (beginning jogging) at Western Washington University. One of the classes (experimental group) underwent a goal setting program consisting of educational, constructive, and evaluative components aimed to pursue a self-selected aerobic fitness goal while the other class (control group) did not. Components of exercise commitment and aerobic fitness level measurements were taken at the onset and again at the termination of the goal setting implementation. Upon computing 11 separate two-way between-within ANOVAs and effect sizes, the results produced little statistical significances and effects. However, the results of this study revealed several practical trends related to exercise commitment and physical activity. Findings and considerations for future direction are provided in hopes that further research and practical methods regarding goal setting, exercise commitment, and fitness level can be improved upon.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/rcec-0z06

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

729750104

Subject – LCSH

College students--Exercise--Psychological aspects; College students--Attitudes; Self-efficacy; Motivation (Psychology)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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