edited by katie barnes. email:
katiebarnes@leisuremedia.com
research round-up
People who draw up a detailed exercise
programme are more likely to get fi t, say
scientists from the University of Zurich
plan of action
ogic says that health club
L
members who plan an
exercise programme and
stick to it are more likely to
reach their goals, but this is
now backed up by research published in
the British Journal of Social Psychology.
The research focused on runners
in the lead-up to a marathon, with
most regulating their own training.
However, with the New Year infl ux of
new members – many of whom may
have signed up to an event that requires
PICTURE:
preparation through a well-designed
fi tness schedule – there’s no reason why
WWW
health clubs can’t learn from the fi ndings.
Whether members are training for a
.IST
OCK.COM
running event, a trek in Peru or a cycle
ride across Britain, why not offer to help
them get ‘event fi t’? After all, achieving
results for members by setting goals and Be organised: A detailed training plan is the key to success, say researchers
providing the appropriate programming
can all lead to improved retention. assessment, where participants were One month before the event, trainees
asked to measure perceived vulnerability were running an average of 213 minutes
train of thought to health problems; positive and negative a week – but there were big differences
The research in question was led by Dr outcome expectancies of the training; between the participants, with some
Urte Scholz from the University of self-effi cacy; and training intentions. running signifi cantly more than others.
Zurich in Switzerland. It looked at how a It especially focused on three aspects When the big day came, of the 30
group of novice runners preparing for a of their motivation. Firstly, it looked people who took part in the study, 13 ran
marathon conducted their training, and at action planning and how detailed or the full marathon, nine ran a half-
whether or not they ran in the marathon. ‘concrete’ their running schedule was. marathon distance and one ran a
The study was based on 30 adults – 26 Secondly, it touched on coping planning, two-thirds marathon – a legitimate option
women and four men – aged between which covered how well they dealt with in the race. Seven did not run at all.
24 and 56. None of the participants had obstacles such as bad weather or injury. Looking back over the monthly
previously received any formal training And thirdly, it measured action control, questionnaires, the most signifi cant
and the event they entered was the where they checked how well they had differences between those who ran
Gutenberg marathon in Mainz, Germany. stuck to their schedule. on the day and those who didn’t were
The participants received a personal To keep track, participants gave an noted in the areas of action planning and
training plan, developed by a personal estimate of how often they ran each action control – non-runners reported a
running trainer, and took part in one week, and for how many minutes. They signifi cantly lower level than runners in
weekly joint running session every also logged distance covered and times. both these variables.
Sunday (organised by the trainer). It was the individuals who stuck to a
Over the course of a year leading up going the distance more detailed exercise plan, increasing
to the marathon, the runners completed Participants began with an average of their mileage most over the year, who
11 monthly questionnaires about their 152 minutes’ running a week, which were most likely to actually take part in,
training. The questionnaire covered: risk increased by 6.1 minutes each month. and complete, the marathon.
january 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Health Club Management online 45
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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