Higher Exercise Self-efficacy Research Articles

Psychological Predictors of Physical Activity in the Diabetes Prevention Program

Objective To identify the baseline psychological variables before receiving a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention that predict physical activity levels (PALs) at baseline, 1 year, and end of study (2 to 3 years after randomization). Design and subjects Of the final 293 DPP lifestyle participants randomized, 274 (94%) completed validated questionnaires at baseline assessing stage of change for PAL, exercise self-efficacy, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety. Statistical analyses performed Correlations and stepwise multiple regression analyses. Results At baseline, this subset was similar to the entire DPP lifestyle cohort: mean age was 52.5 years, 65% were women, and mean PAL was 15.7 metabolic equivalent hours per week. Higher levels of baseline leisure PAL correlated with greater readiness to change PAL ( r=0.44, P<0.0001), higher exercise self-efficacy ( r=0.18, P=0.002), and lower levels of perceived stress ( r=−0.16, P=0.009), depression ( r=−0.18, P=0.003), and anxiety ( r=−0.14, P=0.03), with similar correlations at 1 year and end of study. In multivariate models, being a man, lower levels of depression, and lower body mass index were independent correlates of higher baseline leisure PAL; being a man, greater baseline exercise self-efficacy, and activity level were independent correlates of greater leisure PAL levels at 1 year and end of study. Greater readiness to change PAL at baseline was also an independent correlate of greater PAL at end of study. Conclusions In this representative sample of DPP lifestyle participants, being a man, lower body mass index, greater readiness for change in PAL, higher exercise self-efficacy, and lower perceived stress, depression, and anxiety scores correlated with higher levels of baseline PAL with similar patterns at 1 year and end of study. These findings may help determine which patients are most likely to increase PAL in lifestyle intervention programs.

Psychometric Properties of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Questionnaire in a Diverse Sample of Men and Women

Background:Self-efficacy is a consistent correlate of physical activity, but most self-efficacy measures have not been validated in diverse populations. This study examined the construct, criterion-related, and convergent validity and internal consistency of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Questionnaire.Methods:African American and Caucasian adults (N = 1919) from two adjacent counties in South Carolina were identified through a list-assisted random digit-dialed telephone survey. Psychometric properties of the measure were assessed by gender, race, age, education, and body weight subgroups.Results:Across all subgroups, a single-factor solution explained 93 to 98% of the common variance in an exploratory factor analysis, and all 14 items had factor loadings exceeding 0.40. Higher exercise self-efficacy was significantly associated with greater physical activity, younger age, male gender, higher education, and lower body weight, as predicted. Internal consistency was high for all subgroups (α = 0.90 to 0.94).Conclusion:The Self-Efficacy for Exercise Questionnaire appears to be a valid and reliable measure for use with diverse populations.

Pretreatment predictors of attrition and successful weight management in women.

This study analyzed baseline behavioral and psychosocial differences between successful and nonsuccessful participants in a behavioral weight management program. Success was defined by commonly used health-related criteria (5% weight loss). Noncompletion was also used as a marker of a failed attempt at weight control. A total of 158 healthy overweight and obese women (age, 48.0+/-4.5 y; BMI, 31.0+/-3.8 kg/m(2); body fat, 44.5+/-5.3%). Subjects participated in a 16-week lifestyle weight loss program consisting of group-based behavior therapy to improve diet and increase physical activity, and were followed for 1 y after treatment. At baseline, all women completed a comprehensive behavioral and psychosocial battery assessing dieting/weight history, dietary intake and eating behaviors, exercise, self-efficacy, outcome evaluations, body image, and other variables considered relevant for weight management. Participants who maintained a weight loss of 5% or more at 16 months (or 10% or more of initial fat mass) were classified as successful. Nonsuccessful participants were those who dropped out and completers who had not lost weight at follow-up. Of all participants, 30% (n=47) did not complete initial treatment and/or missed follow-up assessments (noncompleters). Noncompletion was independently associated with more previous weight loss attempts, poorer quality of life, more stringent weight outcome evaluations, and lower reported carbohydrate intake at baseline. In logistic regression, completion status was predicted correctly in 84% of all cases (chi(2)=45.5, P<0.001), using baseline information only. Additional predictors of attrition were initial weight, exercise minutes, fiber intake, binge eating, psychological health, and body image. A large variation in weight loss/maintenance results was observed (range: 37.2 kg for 16-month weight change). Independent baseline predictors of success at 16 months were more moderate weight outcome evaluations, lower level of previous dieting, higher exercise self-efficacy, and smaller waist-to-hip ratio. Success status at follow-up was predicted correctly in 74% of all starting cases (chi(2)=33.6, P<0.001). Psychosocial and behavioral variables (eg, dieting history, dietary intake, outcome evaluations, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life) may be useful as pretreatment predictors of success level and/or attrition in previously overweight and mildly obese women who volunteer for behavioral weight control programs. These factors can be used in developing readiness profiles for weight management, a potentially important tool to address the issue of low success/completion rates in the current management of obesity.

Who Will Stay and Who Will Go? A Review of Older Adults’ Adherence to Randomized Controlled Trials of Exercise

This study examined exercise-adherence rates and their predictors across 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving older adults (age ≥ 55 years). On average, participants completed 78% of their prescribed exercise bouts. Adherence tended to be greater in strength- and flexibility-exercise training programs (M = 87%) than in aerobic-exercise training programs (M = 75%). The best adherers were individuals who were fitter at baseline, had a history of a physically active lifestyle, were nonsmokers, and had higher exercise self-efficacy. Different variables predicted adherence (a) at different time points in a RCT. (b) to different types of exercise, and (c) to different aspects of the exercise prescription (i.e., frequency, intensity, and duration). The findings suggest that older adults might be more adherent to exercise prescriptions than younger adults are. There is also a need for more theory-based research to examine predictors of adherence to various aspects of the exercise prescription.

Correlates of exercise maintenance among people with mobility impairments

Purpose: This paper describes correlates of exercise maintenance in a sample of adults with mobility impairments. Understanding processes that promote exercise is important if one is to increase access to exercise for people with disabilities. Method: A model of variables predicting 6-month maintenance of regular exercise was examined, using data from a selfadministered questionnaire given to a community sample of 113 adults with long-term mobility impairments. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression were used. Results: Logistic regression showed that people with lower motivational barriers and higher exercise self-efficacy had a higher probability of exercise maintenance. Demographic characteristics and disability-related and environmental barriers did not differentiate between those who did and did not continue to exercise. Conclusions: Long-term sustained exercise by people with mobility impairments might be promoted by efforts to increase motivation to exercise: involve health professionals as one source of support and expand opportunity by increasing access to appropriate sites and programming.