Understanding readiness for regular physical activity in older individuals: An application of the theory of planned behavior.

This study examined whether stage of readiness for regular physical activity (i.e., discrete phases from inactive to active) was related to beliefs concerning perceived social pressure, attitude, perceived control, and intention. Data were collected from 288 older people through the mail. Frequency data indicated that over 50% of the sample had been engaging in regular physical activity for longer than 6 months. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that all selected variables shared significant variance with stage of readiness, and discrimination among the stages by the selected variables was successful. Path analysis indicated that intention, attitude, and perceived control had direct relationships with stage of readiness. Discussion focused on the utility of these variables for understanding individual differences in stage of readiness for regular physical activity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determinants of exercise intention and behavior during and after phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation: An application of the theory of planned behavior.

Objective: To evaluate the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a framework for understanding exercise motivation during and after Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Design and Participants: Patients (57 men and 24 women) completed a TPB questionnaire that included attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and exercise intentions pre- and post-Phase 2 CR. Results: During Phase 2 CR, regression analyses indicated that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) explained 38% of the variance in exercise intention while intention explained 23% of the variance in exercise adherence. At postrehabilitation follow-up, attitudes, subjective norm, and PBC explained 51 % of the variance in exercise intention while intention explained 23% of the variance in exercise adherence. Conclusion: The TPB is a useful framework for understanding exercise intentions and behavior both during and after Phase 2 CR. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does the Theory of Planned Behavior Mediate the Effects of an Oncologist's Recommendation to Exercise in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Survivors? Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized trial examined the effects of 2 oncologist-based exercise interventions--recommendation only (RO) and recommendation plus referral (RR)--versus usual care (UC) on social-cognitive constructs from the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The authors also examined whether the TPB mediated the significant effect of the RO intervention on exercise and explained the null effect of the RR intervention. Independent t tests revealed that both interventions had significant effects on TPB constructs; however, only the RO intervention impacted perceived behavioral control (PBC). Path analyses indicated that PBC was the only construct with a direct effect on exercise and that it mediated the effect of the RO intervention on exercise and explained the null effect of the RR intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Understanding exercise motivation in colorectal cancer patients: A prospective study using the theory of planned behavior.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the theory of planned behavior (I. Ajzen, 1991) as a framework for understanding exercise motivation in cancer patients. Participants were 66 postsurgical colorectal cancer patients who completed a baseline questionnaire that assessed exercise prediagnosis, demographic and medical variables, and the theory of planned behavior. Postsurgical exercise was self-monitored over a 4-month period and reported by telephone on a monthly basis. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that (a) intention and exercise prediagnosis were significant determinants of postsurgical exercise and (b) attitude was the sole significant determinant of intention. It was concluded that the theory of planned behavior may be a viable framework on which to base interventions designed to promote exercise in colorectal cancer patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Barrier self-efficacy and physical activity over a 12-month period in men and women who do and do not attend cardiac rehabilitation.

Objectives: Two primary objectives were to examine (a) changes in physical activity (PA) over a 12-month period in people living with cardiac disease who did not attend cardiac rehabilitation (CR), and (b) the role of barrier self-efficacy in explaining these changes from a gender perspective. A secondary objective was to examine whether attending CR (or not) moderated the gender-barrier self-efficacy relationship with PA. Design and Setting: Participants (N=801) completed a questionnaire in the hospital and at 2, 6, and 12 months after hospitalization, as well as a telephone-administered 7-day PA recall at 2, 6, and 12 months. Main Outcome Measures: PA and barrier self-efficacy. Results: Hierarchical linear modeling showed significant declines in PA over time, which were especially pronounced for women. Moreover, the association between barrier self-efficacy and PA became significantly weaker over time, especially for women. This trend was similar for participants who did and did not attend CR. Conclusion: Interventions that focus on increasing barrier self-efficacy in people living with heart disease after hospitalization will likely equally benefit men and women in the short term but may disproportionately benefit men in the longer term regardless of participation in CR. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does barrier efficacy mediate the gender-exercise adherence relationship during phase II cardiac rehabilitation?

Objective: To determine whether barrier efficacy (i.e., confidence in one's ability to perform an elemental task under challenging conditions) mediated the gender-exercise adherence relationship in Phase 11 cardiac rehabilitation. Study Design and Participants: A questionnaire concerning 9 exercise barriers was administered to 98 Phase 11 cardiac rehabilitation patients (50 male and 48 female). Results: Men had significantly higher exercise adherence rates, F(l, 96) = 7.22, p = .01, effect size = .53, and barrier efficacy, F(l, 95) = 17.50, p