The Effects of Previous Adherence, Physical Fitness, Behavioral Intervention, and Exercise Self-Efficacy on Exercise Adherence
The Effects of Previous Adherence, Physical Fitness, Behavioral Intervention, and Exercise Self-Efficacy on Exercise Adherence
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Date
1994
Authors
Mince, Rosalie Veronica
Advisor
Bennett, Stanley
Citation
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Abstract
Since substantial research has shown that a physically
active lifestyle is a fundamental component of health, there
exists a need to investigate why the majority of individuals
do not adhere to an exercise program on a long-term basis.
The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which
previous adherence, physical fitness, behavioral
intervention, and exercise self-efficacy predict exercise
adherence. There were 52 male and 44 female participants in
this study ranging in age from 19 to 72 years. All subjects
completed the same written and physical evaluations and
participated in the same fitness program. Subjects were
divided into three groups (experimental: n=34, comparison:
n=33, and control: n=29). The experimental group received
behavioral intervention aimed at increasing exercise
adherence. The comparison group received an intervention
which was not aimed at influencing exercise adherence. The control group did not receive any additional intervention.
Exercise adherence was determined from self-report of
exercise activity for 24 weeks . The behavioral intervention
took place during weeks 9 through 16. The 24 weeks were
divided into 3 adherence periods: "before adherence" (weeks
1-8), "during adherence" (weeks 9-16), and "after adherence"
(weeks 17-24). Pre- and post-treatment exercise self-efficacy
was determined from subjects' completion of an
Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. Pre- and post-testing physical fitness assessment included body composition and
aerobic capacity measures.
The investigator assisted the experimental group
participants in identifying realistic goals. These
participants met biweekly during the intervention period
with the investigator to discuss problems and adjust
workouts and goals to adapt to individual progress and
personal needs.
The results of this study support research studies
which have found that previous exercise adherence is highly
predictive of continued adherence. Based on a very
stringent definition of adherence, on the average, the
subjects were unable or unwilling to perform aerobic
exercise the three times per week necessary to substantially
improve cardiovascular fitness. This finding is consistent
with the majority of previous adherence studies. According
to the qualitative analyses, improved physical fitness was
the primary reason why subjects adhered to aerobic exercise, and a loss of fitness was a strong motivator for
participants to begin exercising again after a temporary
lapse .