Intervention
activityGoal
The intervention is an adapted version of the COACH protocol (The stimulation of daily physical activities by the exercise counselors was applied in four phases: (1) need to change; (2) benefits versus effort; (3) plan of action including specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals; (4) implementation plan. Participants were required to monitor their daily physical activity by means of a pedometer and record the total number of steps per day in a paper or online diary. For activities other than walking, participants were required to register duration, activity type, and intensity. The duration of these activities was converted into steps, according to the criteria of Tudor-Locke and Basset [Specification of the content of the COACH sessions- Introduction- Psychoeducation, WHO physical activity recommendations- Pedometer use- Current and historic pattern of physical activity: step average, activities, highs and lows- Expectations, personal preferences, struggles, resistance- Motivation, current stage of change- Mind map, decisional balance- Limitations and possibilities- Set long- and short-term SMART goals- Monitor step count with pedometerMotivation to increase physical activityGoal setting- Evaluate experiences, physical activity pattern, and goals- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Examine conditions for change- Benefit versus effort- Set short-term SMART goals- Monitor step count with pedometer- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Evaluate physical activity pattern and goals- Observe weekly fluctuations and external influences- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Benefit versus effort- Set short-term SMART goals- Monitor step count with pedometer- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Evaluate physical activity pattern and goals- Observe external and seasonal influences- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Evaluate coping strategies- Benefit versus effort- Set short-term SMART goals- Monitor step count with pedometer- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Plan peak performance day- Evaluate physical activity pattern and goals- Evaluate peak performance day and personal physical activity norm- Observe external and seasonal influences- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Coping strategies- Benefit versus effort- Monitor step count with pedometer- Set personal physical activity norm- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Evaluate progress, adjust personal physical activity norm- Evaluate current repertoire of physical activities- Evaluate influence decreased coaching frequency- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Coping strategies- Benefit versus effort- Monitor step count with pedometer- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Evaluate coaching program, progress, and personal physical activity norm- Lessons learned- Evaluate influence decreased coaching frequency- Encountered and anticipated barriers and setbacks- Coping strategies- Benefit versus effort- Monitor step count with pedometer- Plan guarantees and alternatives- Evaluate personal physical activity norm, COACH free period and coaching program- Moving forward and lessons learned