Psychological Factors As Predictors Of Achieving Exercise Goals And Physical Activity Levels In Undergraduates

Abstract

PURPOSE: It is well documented that college students significantly decrease physical activity (PA) over the course of a four-year degree, increasing the risk for chronic disease. Prior research shows that psychological constructs of hope, optimism, and self-efficacy impact voluntary behavior and goal attainment. However, little is known regarding the effect of these psychological variables on PA goal attainment and PA levels in college students. Thus, the purpose of this longitudinal study was to determine whether hope, optimism, and self-efficacy predict exercise goal attainment and PA levels in college students. METHODS: Sixty-three undergraduate college students completed two online questionnaires within one Fall semester: one at the beginning (time 1) and the other nearing the end (time 2). The first questionnaire included the Adult Hope Scale, Life Orientation Test-Revised (optimism), Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ), and exercise goal assessment and importance ratings. The time 2 questionnaire included the IPAQ, and scales for progress and success toward exercise goals. Correlations and multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine predictors at time 1 of goal attainment and IPAQ scores at time 2. RESULTS: Exercise goal attainment significantly correlated with optimism, self-efficacy to regulate exercise, hope, and importance. Stepwise regression revealed that agency, a subscale of the Adult Hope Scale, (β = .453, p < .01) and goal importance (β = .304, p < .01) were predictors of goal attainment. Further, stepwise regression revealed Total PA at Time 1 (β = .544, p < .05) as the only significant predictor of Total PA approximately 8-weeks later. CONCLUSION: Perceiving exercise goals as important and having agency (i.e., goal directed determination) to reach them predicts their progress and success in college students. However, past PA levels was the only predictor of future PA levels.