ABSTRACT
Much of the previous research applying theoretical models to exercise behaviour has attempted to predict which individuals are, or will be, inactive or active at a given point in time (Coumeya, 1995a, b). Such an approach implies a two stage model of exercise behaviour change (i.e., from inactive to active) and has led to a search for determinants and interventions to facilitate such a change. Recent theorising, however, has suggested that individuals may progress through multiple discrete stages when changing their exercise behaviour and that each stage transition may have different determinants and require different intervention strategies (e.g., Dishman, 1991; Sallis & Hovell, 1990; Sonstroem, 1988). Although a number of stage models have been proposed and applied to the exercise domain (e.g., Booth, Macaskill, Owen, Oldenburg, Marcus & Bauman, 1993; Dishman, 1990; Godin, Deshamais, Valois & Bradet, 1995; Sallis & Hovell, 1990; Weinstein, 1988), the most popular and validated has been Prochaska’s stages of change model (SCM; DiClemente, Prochaska, Fairhurst, Velicer, Velasquez & Rossi, 1991; Prochaska & DiClemente 1983, 1985; Prochaska & Velicer, 1997).
