The Relationship Between Achievement of Walking Goals and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Postmenopausal African American Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the achievement of walking goals and exercise self-efficacy in African American women. A convenience sample of 43 postmenopausal African American women was used. Participants engaged in a 6-week walking program with 2 walking goals. Exercise self-efficacy was assessed using the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Questionnaire and semistructured interviews. Participants who met the brisk walking goals demonstrated higher exercise self-efficacy than those who did not (P = .003). Those who met the average daily step goal tended to have higher exercise self-efficacy (P = .108) compared with those who did not. Women who have high levels of exercise self-efficacy before engaging in an exercise program have more successful outcomes. Enhancing exercise self-efficacy in African American women should be a goal of every healthcare professional.