Table 1 The MI guide developed for the exercise intervention

1. Engaging, focusing and evoking

Create relationship

I appreciate our meeting today

Where do you want us to sit down and talk?

Agenda: At this meeting we will talk about why I’m here, and above all, I’m interested in your thoughts and experiences of exercising. I will later perform some tests and exercises, leading to an exercise program for you

How does this sound to you?

Use OARS—Open-ended questions, affirmation, reflective listening and summarize

EX: Strategies for information

Ask permission to give information about the exercise

Information: we will meet five times during a 3-month period and after that will have slightly sparse contact for up to 1 year

Strategies to go back to the agenda

You have so many interesting things to share with me. I truly appreciate you wanting to share this with me, and we can return to this—link back to the agenda and why you are here

2. Focus on change talk

What are your exercise experiences?

To recognize, elicit and respond to change talk

DARN

Desire (I would like to, I wish…)

Ability (I think I could…)

Reasons (I know I would feel better…)

Need (I should exercise at least…)

CATs

Commitment (intention, decision…)

Activation (prepared to…)

Taking steps (doing…)

3. Response to change talk—EARS

Elaborating (In what way, examples…)

Affirmation (Positive comments of statements)

Reflecting (Can never reflect too much!)

Summarizing (Collect bouquets of change talk)

Tests and introducing exercises

Perform the tests and the individualized adjusted exercises

Now, I have some questions that I would like to ask you to rate on a scale from 1-10 (Importance, ability, confidence and satisfaction)

Rating scales

Examples of follow up questions

Why do you rate…and not zero?

At a low rate 5-6, how is it/why don´t you rate less?

At a low rate, exercise does not seem to be important to you currently!

At a low rate, what would you need to rate higher?

What is your (strength, ability) that would help you accomplish this?

If you decide to follow this program, how would you succeed?

If you decide to do this, you will complete it!

4. Planning

Planning occurs when commitment is achieved AND there is a clear goal for change AND there is clear motivation on the part of the person who is attempting change. Use SMART-specific, measurable, achievable or attainable, realistic and timed

5. Maintenance

How would you go about performing the exercise?

6. Final

What do you think of all this?