Dynamic Patterns of Personality States, Affect and Goal Pursuit Before and During an Exercise Intervention: A Series of N-of-1 Trials Combined with Ecological Momentary Assessments

Prior studies have failed to identify the dynamics between the momentary manifestation of personality traits (namely personality states) and cognitive-affective mechanisms in relation to physical activity. The current study modelized the temporal associations between daily personality states, affect (valence) and pursuit of personal goals before and during a physical exercise intervention. Single cases using an A (10 days) -B (42 days) design paired with ecological momentary assessments was used in 10 inactive adults. Idiographic network analyses and generalized additive models were performed. The magnitude of the association between personality states, affect and pursuit of personal goals were modified during the intervention. Their respective weight of the variables in the networks during the exercise intervention followed an individual pattern. The intervention was associated with a systematic change in levels of pursuit of personal goals, with seven participants showing a non-linear association. The complexity of individual networks before and during the intervention stresses the importance of an idiographic level of analysis, especially in the context of an exercise intervention. Highlights:Idiographic levels of association between personality states, affect and pursuit of personal goals can be modified during a physical exercise intervention.The respective weight of personality states, affect and pursuit of personal goals in the idiographic networks during the exercise intervention follows an individual pattern.The physical activity intervention is associated with a systematic non-linear change in the level of goal facilitation and goal conflict.