Behavior performed in the presence of consistent cues is a core element for successful habit development, with the repeated presence of consistent cues facilitating the activation of automatic responses in future. Yet, little is known about the effects of different cue types on habit. Using a two-wave prospective PLS-SEM model with a sample of 68 undergraduate students, we assessed the mediating effects of habit on the past-behavior-to-physical-activity relationship, and how the mediating effects of habit were moderated by the consistent presence of different forms of cues. Habit mediated the effects of past behavior on physical activity, with a significantly stronger mediating effect of habit in those reporting undertaking physical activity at the same time of day, doing the same activity, and in the same mood. Consistent place, people, and part of routine did not moderate the effects of habit. The results provide formative evidence for a key assertion of the habit theory that consistent contextual and internal cues are a cornerstone of habitual development and action, but they also indicate the importance of examining different forms of cues and their impact on the formation and enaction of habits as some cues may be more relevant than others.

Habit theory suggests that behavior performed in the presence of consistent cues is a core ingredient for successful habit development, with the repeated presence of these consistent cues facilitating the activation of automatic responses in future. We tested this assumption in a sample of 68 undergraduate students who, at baseline, reported on their physical activity behavior over the past year then, two weeks later, responded to measures of cue consistency, habit, and physical activity performance over the previous two weeks. As expected, habit mediated the effects of past behavior on prospectively measured behavior. Moreover, the mediating effect of habit between past and future behavior was significantly stronger in those reporting undertaking physical activity at the same time of day, doing the same activity, and in the same mood. Consistent place, people, and part of routine did not moderate the effects of habit. Results provide formative evidence for a key assertion of habit theory, that consistent contextual and internal cues are a cornerstone of habitual development and action, but also indicate the importance of examining different forms of cues and their impact on the formation and enaction of habits as some cues over others may be more relevant.

Objective: To explore female college students' perceptions of fitness influencer content and interest in a social media-based physical activity intervention. Participants: Female college students from around a large southeastern university (ages 18-24) who were insufficiently physically active. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted: Part 1 included semi-structured interviews, and Part 2 was a focus group discussing Part 1 findings and reactions to a proposed physical activity intervention. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for themes. Results: Participants (N = 12; M_age=20.7 years; 75% White) reported daily exposure to fitness influencers and viewed them as reliable sources. In Part 1, participants preferred beginner-friendly, educational content from honest, relatable influencers and were less interested in misleading, appearance-based content. In Part 2, participants (n = 11) found the proposed intervention with social support appealing. Conclusions: Participants regarded fitness influencers as reliable sources of physical activity information and considered a social media-based intervention leveraging influencer content promising.