Vol. 43 No. 1 (2011), Sport and Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Vol. 43 No. 1 (2011)

Examining the relationships between changes in the use of exercise imagery and intentions, motivation, and self-efficacy for regular exercise

Sport and Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Published 2011-11-15
Lindsay R Duncan
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University
Craig R Hall
Western University
Wendy M Rodgers
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta
Philip M Wilson
Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine how changes in imagery use over the course of an 8-week exercise program were related to intentions, motivation, and self-efficacy for exercise at program completion. Healthy women who did not exercise regularly (N = 58; Mage = 29.54, SD = 8.34) participated in an 8-week cardiovascular exercise program in which they exercised 3 times each week at a moderate intensity. Imagery use, self-efficacy, motivation, and intentions to maintain regular exercise were assessed at baseline and at the end of the program. Participants reported significant increases in the use of appearance [t(57) = 3.05, p = .004], technique [t(56) = 5.44, p < .001], and energy imagery [t(57) = 5.36, p < .001]. Increases in the use of energy imagery emerged as the only significant predictor of coping self-efficacy (? = .44, p = .01), identified regulation (? = .35, p = .04), integrated regulation (? = .40, p = .02), intrinsic motivation (? = .40, p = .02), and intentions to maintain regular exercise (? = .41, p = .02). These findings suggest that the use of energy imagery should be encouraged among individuals initiating an exercise program.

Acknowledgments: This research was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.