Quality of life and stages of behavioural change for physical activity in people motivated to reduce their cardiovascular risk

Regular physical activity has been shown to be associated with improved quality of life (QoL). However, systematic investigations of the association between motivational stages of change for physical activity and different domains of QoL are lacking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to improve physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in Germany and the Netherlands (N = 790) participants. The mean age was 50.9 years (SD = 12.2, Range: 20-84), 62.9% (N = 497) of the participants were female. Besides socio-demographic information, QoL, physical activity, the stage of change for exercise, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained via a web-based self-report. There were significant interrelations of stages of change for activity with the different domains of physical, psychological, social relations, and environment QoL (Wilks λ = .94, df = 12, p < .001). Study participants of the maintenance group showed highest QoL levels across all domains, while the pre-contemplators/contemplators showed the lowest QoL values. The relationship between the stage of change and QoL was different among BMI groups. Healthcare providers should individually encourage people to attain higher stages of change for physical activity due to the association with both, a higher QoL and lower BMI and should give personalised feedback on physical activity levels. However, there is a need for further longitudinal studies to acquire a more complete understanding of long-term mechanisms of stage of change for physical activity, BMI and QoL.