Is time preference and present bias associated with the decision to start, quit or maintain physical activity over time?

It is commonly observed that individuals transition into and out of physical activity behaviours over time. A better understanding of the determinants of these transitions is important in order to develop effective interventions. Our focus is on examining the role of time preference and present bias (how present or future oriented individuals are) in the decision to start, quit and maintain physical activity over time. We examine changes in different types of physical activity participation over time, allowing us to distinguish between physical activity initiation versus maintenance. We use data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). We show that present bias impacts maintenance but not initiation of physical activity behaviour. The time preference rate impacts maintenance of strengthening exercise in men only. The results of our study suggest that interventions aimed at overcoming present bias, such as commitment devices in the form of deposit contracts, may be effective in maintaining physical activity but not initiating physical activity.