Computerized Pedagogical Agents as an Educational Means for Developing Physical Self-Efficacy and Encouraging Activity in Youth

Abstract

Physical activity participation rates in the United States have been in steady decline for the last 25 years, so much so that 60% of youth ages 9–13 years get no physical activity outside of school. This state of inactivity indicates that promoting participation in physical activity at a young age is of importance. For the present study, a computerized intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model and Social Cognitive Theory was designed and implemented in a school setting to study its potential effectiveness on self-efficacy and stage of change for physical activity. Participants (n = 98) were divided into three conditions. Students in the two experimental conditions interacted with a computerized agent program for 40 minutes, once per week for 5 weeks. Students in the control group received the same educational information in written form. Results support the use of computerized human agents for increasing exercise efficacy and health and fitness knowledge.

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