correlation analysis showed that all the time 1 variables (apart from normative belief)
were significantly correlated with future exercise behaviour (at time 2). Therefore, fre-
quent exercisers at time 2 were more likely at time 1 to believe that they would take
regular exercise, to hold a strong desire to exercise, to have a positive attitude towards
exercise, to perceive pressure from others to exercise, to believe that taking exercise was
under their control, and to have exercised frequently in the past. The results from the
regression analysis showed that the strongest predictor of future behaviour after six
months was prior behaviour.
Conclusions
The authors concluded that although most of the variables of the theory of planned
behaviour were related to future behaviour, the best predictor of future behaviour was
prior behaviour. This suggests that exercise may be under a strong habitual influence,
perhaps because its mood-enhancing effects promote further exercise, and/or perhaps
because exercise is based on habit and not cognition.
EXERCISE RELAPSE
Research has also examined which variables predict relapse and drop out rates from
exercise programmes. Dishman et al. (1985) examined factors that predicted relapse
rates and indicated that relapse was highest among blue-collar workers, smokers, those
who believed that exercise was an effort, and lowest in those who reported a history of
past participation, those with high self-motivation, those who had the support of a
spouse, those who reported having the available time, those who had access to exercise
facilities, and those who reported a belief in the value of good health. Further, using a
stages of change approach, Ingledew et al. (1998) explored which factors were impor-
tant for the transition between the earlier stages of adoption and the later stages of
continued behaviour and concluded that continued exercise was predicted by intrinsic
motives, specifically enjoyment. These factors are very similar to those that relate to
both the initiation and maintenance of exercise behaviour and reflect the role of both
non-modifiable and modifiable factors.
TO CONCLUDE
Exercise is regarded as central to promoting good health both in terms of physical and
psychological well-being. Research has therefore examined factors that correlate and
predict exercise behaviour. Such factors include the social and political climate and the
individual’s beliefs. Although interventions aimed to promote exercise do so because of
the health benefits, an interest in these benefits does not appear to be the best predictor
of initiation or maintenance of exercise behaviour. The recognition of this is reflected
in recent recommendations for exercise, which emphasize the encouragement of small
changes in lifestyle, not major increases in exercise through vigorous and intensive
exercise campaigns.
EXERCISE 181