Older adults' exercise behavior: roles of selected constructs of social-cognitive theory

J Aging Phys Act. 2007 Apr;15(2):206-18. doi: 10.1123/japa.15.2.206.

Abstract

Exercise is consistently related to physical and psychological health benefits in older adults. Bandura's social-cognitive theory (SCT) is one theoretical perspective on understanding and predicting exercise behavior. Thus, the authors examined whether three SCT variables-self-efficacy, self-regulation, and outcome-expectancy value-predicted older adults' (N = 98) exercise behavior. Bivariate analyses revealed that regular exercise was associated with being male, White, and married; having higher income, education, and self-efficacy; using self-regulation skills; and having favorable outcome-expectancy values (p < .05). In a simultaneous multivariate model, however, self-regulation (p = .0097) was the only variable independently associated with regular exercise. Thus, exercise interventions targeting older adults should include components aimed at increasing the use of self-regulation strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Behavioral Research
  • Cognition*
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Life Style*
  • Male
  • Mississippi
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Psychological Theory
  • Self Care / psychology*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Social Control, Informal
  • Social Values
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires