A Randomized Two-Arm Proof of Concept Study Testing A Novel Approach to Exercise Promotion Based on Affect-regulation

Core intervention content will be delivered during the Visit 1 and 1-Month-Check-in meetings. Definitions of exercise will be provided, participants will be asked to discuss their past experiences with exercise, guidelines for being safe during exercise will be reviewed, and strategies for overcoming potential barriers to exercise will be discussed. All participants will be given an exercise plan organized according to the FIIT Principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type). The intensity component of the exercise plan will differ by study arm, all other elements will be delivered the same across both conditions. All participants will be given the goal of increasing weekly time spent exercising to ≥150 minutes, consistent with recommended guidelines. All participants will be given a smartwatch to support self-monitoring of exercise and activity levels throughout the 12-week study period.

"Participants assigned to Affect-Rx will receive instructions to select a pace of exercise that makes you feel as good as possible. The exercise intensity prescription section of their exercise plan will include the Feeling Scale as an attachment and participants will be given the instruction to stay in the green zone on the Feeling Scale."

"Participants assigned to RPE-Rx will receive instructions to select a pace that would make it challenging for you to carry on more than a short conversation. The exercise intensity prescription section of their exercise plan will include the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale as an attachment and participants will be given the instruction to stay in the green zone on the RPE Scale."