A brief measure to predict exercise behavior : the Archer-Garcia ratio

Abstract

Background: Different formsofconsciousandplannedphysicalexerciseand activity thatindividualsperformimprovenotonlyphysicalbutalsopsychological health, well-being,andbothphysicalandintellectualperformance.Hereweput forward andtestthepredictivevalidityoftheArcher-GarciaRatio,abriefmeasure for exercisefrequencycomputedusingparticipants’ responses totwoquestions. Method: The participants(N = 158)wererecruitedfromatrainingfacilityinthe south ofSweden.TheArcher-GarciaRatiowasconstructedbystandardizing(i.e., z-scores) andthensummarizingindividuals’ responses totwoquestions: “How often doyouexercise?” (1 = never, 5 = 5 times/weekormore) and “Estimate the level ofeffortwhenyouexercise” (1 = none orverylow, 10= very high). Participants respondedalsototheGodinLeisure-TimeExerciseQuestionnaireand allowed thecollectionofelectronicdatatotrackthenumberoftimestheyhad trained sixmonthsbeforeandbothsixandtwelvemonthsafterthesurvey. Results: The Archer-GarciaRatiopredicted,moderately,howoftenindividuals had trainedduringthesixmonthsbeforeandbothsixmonthsandtwelvemonths after thesurvey.