Abstract
Selected “readiness” variables from the Health Belief Model were tested for association withexercise adoption. The independent variables were: perceived susceptibility to coronary heart disease and general illnesses; belief in the benefit of personal action to reduce the risk of heart disease; and the effect of age. One hundred and twenty-four firefighters who wished to improve their physical fitness completed aquestionnaire regarding their health beliefs and practices, then participated in a medical examination, a physical fitness assessment and a brief consultation with a physician. Several educational strategies were tested and results are reported elsewhere. Physiologic change at three months and six months plus monthly self-reported information provided the measure of exercise adoption. Regression analysis identified perception of susceptibility to heart disease and belief in the benefits of health action as significant determinants of exercise adoption. However, the analysis of the direction of these relationships and the interaction of the health beliefs produced unexpected findings.
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