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Abstract

Background: The transition into emerging adulthood is a major developmental period in which rapid declines in physical activity are documented. The purpose of the study was to investigate the independent and combined effects of goal conflict and trait self-control on the physical activity intention-behavior relationship in a sample of emerging adults; Methods: Canadian high school students (n = 132; Mage = 17.80 ± 0.46; 64% female) completed two online questionnaires approximately four weeks apart. Measures of intention strength, trait self-control, and anticipated goal conflict were assessed at baseline, followed by self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) four weeks later; Results: Intention (r = 0.346, p < .001) and goal-conflict (r = -0.236, p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with MVPA. Results of the moderation analyses supported the main effect of intention (p < 0.001) on MVPA; yet none of the main effects of goal-conflict and trait self-control or the interactions were significant. Conclusions: Results support a modest intention-MVPA relationship in emerging adults, which is consistent with the larger intention-behavior relationship in the physical activity literature. Future research should explore the interaction between goal conflict and self-control further using objective measures of MVPA.  Goal prioritization may be an important factor to consider when investigating the effect of goal conflict on MVPA and the intention-MVPA relationship.

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