Experimental investigation of decision-making processes in daily physically active behaviors using a virtual reality set-up

Background: Energy expenditure provided by physical activity (PA) can be significantly increased by daily behaviors (stair use, walking). However, factors from the environment, and motivational and volitional processes, tend to impact the decisions when an active solution (stairs) is available at the same time as an inactive solution (elevator). The aim of this study is to identify the decision-making processes implicated in daily PA when time and effort to reach an objective (e.g., a meeting) vary.
Methods: 150 healthy adults will be randomized to one of three experiments after filling out questionnaires measuring habits regarding PA, motivational, and volitional factors of PA adoption. Experiment 1 is a first-person 3D interactive movie where 3 actors are waiting at the point-of-decision, where peers’ behaviors and availability of the inactive solution vary. Experiment 2 is a virtual replication of a business school, where previous knowledge of the building and disposition of the stairs (hidden/visible) vary. Experiment 3 is a virtual modified version of the business school where a stairwell and an escalator provide access to the first floor, using implicit (steps on the floor) and explicit (motivational messages) as point-of-decision prompts.
Expected results: Results will be analyzed in line with the integrated behavior change model (Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 2014) and the naturalistic decision-making theory (Klein, 2015).
Current stage of work: Participants will be contacted for experimentations from February to June 2018.
Discussion: Real time decision-making processes will be linked to processes of change regarding PA, allowing for recommendations for future interventional designs.