Transtheoretical Model in Recreational Sport Programs

The present study aimed to investigate the factors that influence individuals’ decision making for participation in recreational sport activities using the framework of the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982). Specifically, the objectives of the study were set as follows to investigate: a) participants’ behavior in relation to the stages of chance of the transtheoretical model, b) the relationship between the process of change and stages of change, c) the degree to which intention for future participation can be predicted by the processes of change. Three hundred individuals (N=300) (59% males and 41% females) participated in the study and completed: a) The Stage of Change Instrument (SCI: Marcus et al., 1992d) and b) The Processes of Change Questionnaire (PCQ: Marcus et al., 1992c). The results confirmed the stages of behavior change. The results revealed statistical significant differences between all dimensions of process of changes and stages of chances (p<.001). Furthermore, the regression analysis indicated that intention was significantly predicted by the dimensions of «counter conditioning» (Beta=.335, t=4.514, p<.001), «reinforcement management» (Beta=.249, t=3.381, p<.001) and «stimulus control» (Beta=.133, t=2.072, p<.05). The practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.