The effect of physical activity programme based on transtheoretical model via whatsapp on the physical activity and exercise behavior of adolescents

The Effect of Physical Activity Programme Based on Transtheoretical Model Via Whatsapp on the Physical Activity and Exercise Behavior of Adolescents Objective: In this study, it is aimed to show the effect of "Transtheoretical Model Based Physical Activity Program" made with whatsapp on the physical activities and exercise behavior of adolescents. Material and Method: The research was conducted with a quasi-experimental research design with pretest and posttest control groups. The sample of the study consisted of 185 students, 95 experimental and 90 control groups, studying in two high schools in Istanbul, between January and June 2020. Messages, videos and images about physical activity based on Transteoretic model (TTM) were sent to the experimental group once a day, every day for eight weeks, via Whatsapp. No intervention was applied to the control group. Post-test was applied in the 12th week. The data of the research was collected using with Socio-Demographic Characteristics Form, TTM Exercise; Stages of Change, Self-Efficacy Scale, Decisional Balance Scale, The International Physical Activity Questionnaires (short form), and by measuring the height and body weight and calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI). In the analysis of the data Kolmogorov Smirnov, Fisher Exact test, Mc Nemar, chi-squaretest, t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test were used. Results: After the intervention, it was found that the experimental group had statistically higher exercise self-efficacy (t=2,647; p=0,009), physical activity total MET score (Z=-3,521; p=0.000) and made more progress in the stages of change (χ2=20,102; p=0,000) than control group. In the posttest, there was no statistically significant difference in exercise pros and cons scores and BMI categories between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: It was determined that the Transteoretic Model Based Physical Activity Program made with Whatsapp application was effective in increasing the exercise self-efficacy of adolescents, making progress in the stages of change, and partially effective on physical activity and exercise pros and cons. Keywords: Adolescence, exercise, physical activity, transtheoretical model, whatsapp