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Abstract

This study examined associations of changes in identity with physical activity and smoking within Run to Quit, a national multiple health behaviour change intervention that utilizes group-based learn-to-run clinics to assist participants in quitting smoking. It was hypothesized that the behaviour-change curriculum and running delivered via groups, would not only help participants mitigate physical symptoms of withdrawal but would also facilitate changes in smoking- and running-related identities. Further, changes in these identities (i.e., reduced smoker identity and increased runner identity) were hypothesized to predict smoking cessation and running behaviour. Adult smokers (n=216) completed 10-week clinics in Running Room locations across Canada. Within the pre-post design, participants completed questionnaires assessing identity, physical activity, running frequency, and smoking status (including carbon monoxide [CO] testing) at weeks 1 and 10, as well as post-program interviews. Consistent with a priori hypotheses, runner identity increased, and smoker identity decreased from beginning to end of program (p’s