Towards an Integrative Model of Physical Activity: Bridging idiographic and nomothetic perspectives through participatory mapping

Background: Existing behavior change theories often treat physical activity (PA) engagement as a linear, stage-like process driven by stable factors (e.g., self-efficacy, intention). Yet real-world PA emerges from fluctuating configurations of internal and external conditions, requiring models that better capture this complexity.Method: Using participatory systems science and Theory Construction Methodology, we developed an Integrative Model of PA as a prototheory. We conducted participatory systems-modeling interviews with 26 adults to elicit idiographic maps of how PA emerged in everyday life; integrated these maps with established behavioral frameworks via abductive synthesis and ontological mapping; and, through expert consensus, formalized causal propositions using configurational logic, activation regions, and adaptive feedback.Results: Co-modeling showed that PA engagement arose when multiple situational and personal features aligned in configurations that created “moments to act” and gated transitions across PA states. These configurations were evaluated via state-dependent value integration, with short-term feedback tuning situational weights and longer-term feedback reshaping identity, expectations, and readiness. These patterns align with Falk’s self-relevant value integration framework, suggesting a bridge between behavioral and neural accounts.Conclusion: The model conceptualizes PA as a nonlinear, adaptive valuation process shaped by configurational patterns and multi-timescale feedback, yielding testable hypotheses and guiding adaptive, person-centered interventions.