Learning Objective: To learn how self-determination theory and motivational interviewing can be useful tools for health fitness professionals aiming to facilitate adoption and adherence to physical activity.

Despite the widely known health benefits associated with physical activity, participation in regular physical activity is well below the goal recommendations set forth by Healthy People 2010 objectives (1). More than half of Americans do not meet the current recommendations, and approximately one fourth are not active at all (2). Current recommendations for physical activity from the Office of the Surgeon General include the accumulation of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week (3). This recommendation provides for great flexibility in how this moderate amount of physical activity can be accumulated and suggests that 15 minutes of running, 30 minutes of brisk walking, and 45 minutes of recreational volleyball provide an appropriate stimulus for health promotion and reduction of disease risk. Collectively, current recommendations embrace the notion that there are numerous paths to greater health and that flexible physical activity prescriptions provide choices that may foster enhanced motivation for a physically active lifestyle.

Editor's Comment. I offer two articles for you, one written expressly for practitioners (Mears & Kilpatrick) and the other for physicians, which is also appropriate for practitioners. Each is written in simple, straightforward "nonresearch" English and is easily understandable. Although the article by Rollnick et al is over 2 years old, it is an excellent piece of writing for physicians as well as other cardiovascular rehabilitation health professionals. The point of this abstract is that the accompanying article is short and to the point and could be handed to physicians and medical directors for their information. The second of these articles is aimed at nonphysician practitioners and is an excellent article on motivation. The point of both is that we don't "motivate" clients and patients, we provide an avenue for motivation, but the patients must provide motivation for themselves. Motivational interviewing, also known as coaching or wellness coaching, is an evidence-based approach that professionals can use to help patients succeed in changing health behaviors. It's our job!! -JLR