Traditional action-oriented CR programs may not
be the most appropriate format for women, many of
whom are not prepared to take action, as evidenced
by the low uptake and completion rates. Stagematched,
client-centered interventions can have
greater impact than one-size-fits-all programs by
increasing participation and increasing the likelihood
that individuals will take action. Stage-matched
interventions allow all individuals to participate in
the change process, even if they are not prepared
to take action and can increase the likelihood that
they will get to action. Stage-matched interventions
have outperformed one-size-fits-all interventions for
exercise acquisition, dietary behavior, and other
health behaviors in population-based studies. Individualized,
stage-matched interventions for women
in CR may reduce resistance and the time needed to
implement the change by accelerating movement
toward the action stage. This stage-matched
approach can benefit women who are ready to
change a problem behavior as well as the majority
of women who are neither prepared nor motivated
to change.