Modifiable predictors of exercise
Dishman et al. (1985) summarized the following variables as modifiable predictors:
Childhood exercise: individuals who exercise as children are more likely to exercise as
adults.
Positive self-image: research also indicates that a positive self-image and confidence in
one’s ability influences future activity levels.
No role for knowledge: interestingly the research suggests that good knowledge about
the benefits of exercise does not predict exercise behaviour.
The role of attitudes and beliefs
Research has examined the role of attitudes and beliefs in predicting exercise. Research
into beliefs has used either a cross-sectional or a prospective design. Cross-sectional
research examines the relationships between variables that co-occur, whereas
prospective research attempts to predict future behaviour.
Cross-sectional research
This type of research indicates a role for the following beliefs and attitudes:
Perceived social benefits of exercise. Research examining the predictors of exercise
behaviour consistently suggests that the main factors motivating exercise are the
beliefs that it is enjoyable and provides social contact. In a cross-sectional study
examining the differences in attitude between joggers and non-joggers, the non-
joggers reported beliefs that exercise required too much discipline, too much time,
they did not believe in the positive effects of jogging and reported a lower belief that
significant others valued regular jogging (Riddle 1980).
Value on health. Although many individuals exercise for reasons other than health, a
MORI poll in 1984 suggested that the second main correlate of exercising is a belief
that health and fitness are important (MORI 1984). In support of this, the non-
joggers in the study by Riddle (1980) also reported a lower value on good health than
the joggers.
Benefits of exercise. Exercisers have also been shown to differ from non-exercisers in
their beliefs about the benefits of exercise. For example, a study of older women (aged
60 – 89 years) indicated that exercisers reported a higher rating for the health value
of exercise, reported greater enjoyment of exercise, rated their discomfort from exer-
cise as lower and perceived exercise programmes to be more easily available than
non-exercisers (Paxton et al. 1997).
Barriers to exercise: Hausenblas et al. (2001) argued that it is not only the benefits of
exercise that promote exercise but also the barriers to exercise which prevents exer-
cise uptake. They developed a questionnaire entitled the ‘Temptation to not exercise
scale’ which measured two forms of barriers ‘affect’ and ‘competing demands’. Sub-
jects are asked to rate a series of answers following the statement ‘please indicate how
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