TITLE:
Psychological Factors Influencing Exercise Adherence among Females
AUTHORS:
Sarah S. Kohlstedt, Carol S. Weissbrod, Anna M. Colangelo, Michele M. Carter
KEYWORDS:
Gender; Motivation; Physical Self-Efficacy; Self-Determination; Exercise
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.4 No.12,
December
5,
2013
ABSTRACT: Social pressures focusing on health and
physical attractiveness have been used to promote exercise among women
(Prichard & Tiggemann, 2008). However, research has shown that motives
driven by external sources result in decreased exercise participation (Deci
& Ryan, 1985). The current study examined differences in motivation,
self-efficacy, and mood between 64 exercise adherent and non-adherent women
over four weeks. Women who were non-adherent to their exercise goals were more
likely to report external motives, specifically body and health related
motives. At the initial measurement, adherents reported significantly lower
self-efficacy, positive affect, and life satisfaction compared to
non-adherents. However, after the four weeks, adherents’ self-reports indicated
a significant increase in these variables compared to no change in
non-adherents’ self-reports.