Dynamic Representations of Theory Testing in Physical Activity Using Ecological Momentary Assessment: An Example Guide Utilizing Multi-Process Action Control

Rhodes, Ryan E; Kwan, Matt

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547090

MINI REVIEW article

Front. Psychol.

Sec. Health Psychology

Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547090

Dynamic Representations of Theory Testing in Physical Activity Using Ecological Momentary Assessment: An Example Guide Utilizing Multi-Process Action Control

Provisionally accepted

Ryan E Rhodes ^1*

Matt Kwan ²

¹ University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
² Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Behavioral theories are essential in understanding physical activity (PA) and developing effective intervention strategies, yet most theories have been developed alongside common research methods available at their inception. Contemporary data collection methods such as intensive longitudinal designs (e.g., Ecological Momentary Assessment; EMA) are beginning to facilitate more advanced approaches to theorizing. One of the primary challenges in applying traditional behaviour change theories, however, relates to measurement, as traditional multi-item measures are not practical nor may they accurately capture the dynamic elements of the construct sought in intensive longitudinal sampling. The purpose of this paper was to provide a user's guide of measures of the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) Framework for use in EMA, followed by preliminary working examples. EMA offers opportunities to sample and obtain realtime (or near real-time) information that include processes that are more automatically or immediately activated in response to environmental stimuli or informational cues. As a result, we propose a slight re-operationalization of M-PAC as it relates to the interacting psychological systems in determining PA. We outline some of the measurement challenges with M-PAC using EMA, and the opportunities to blend more traditional and contemporary real-time approaches to advance theory and our understanding of PA. Together, this paper is intended to be a starting point, acknowledging the need to adapt traditional behavioral theories to incorporate the dynamic factors in determining physical activity. By doing so, we can advance our understanding of PA and develop more effective, and theory-based, interventions tailored to individual needs and contexts.

Keywords: habit, Identity, behavioral regulation, Hedonic motivation, opportunity, Exercise, intention-behavior gap

Received: 17 Dec 2024; Accepted: 10 Mar 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Rhodes and Kwan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Ryan E Rhodes, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

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