• V S Conn.
• Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA.
• Nurs Res. 1998 May 1;47(3):180-9.

BackgroundDespite the potential benefits of exercise, rates of exercise among older adults remain low. Self-efficacy expectation is the strongest correlate of exercise behavior or exercise behavior change.ObjectivesTo develop and test the predictive ability of a model of exercise among older adults.MethodThe model's constructs related to exercise and self-efficacy included outcome expectancy, perceived barriers to exercise, perceived health, age, and lifelong leisure exercise among adults 65 to 100 years years of age (N=147). Data were collected by personal interview and analyzed with path analysis.ResultsSelf-efficacy expectation had a strong direct effect on exercise. Outcome expectancy contributed little to exercise in the model. Perceived barriers and self-efficacy expectation, followed by age, exerted the most total influence on exercise scores.ConclusionsLifelong leisure exercise exerts its influence on exercise through self-efficacy beliefs, further emphasizing the importance of efficacy. Also important are perceived barriers to exercise. Further research should examine self-efficacy expectations, perceived barriers, and age as predictors of exercise among older adults at different stages of health behavior change.

18 keywords...

hide…