Exercise psychology and cardiac rehabilitation symposium: Psychological factors related to adherence to exercise maintenance in cardiac rehabilitation

Abstract

Relatively little attention has been paid to fostering self-regulatory efficacy (SRE) beliefs for exercise in cardiac rehabilitation (CR: Woodgate & Brawley, 2008). However, this efficacy belief is a crucial mechanism for individuals to adhere to exercise therapy in both the initial stages of CR (Rejeski et al, 2004) and for the persistence required for longer term maintenance. The purpose of this paper in the symposium is to present theoretically-driven research that a) identifies psychological factors that are related to differences in the relative strength of SRE and exercise adherence outside structured CR when program access is challenged, and b) illustrates how social persuasive, efficacy-enhancing "readiness" manipulations can encourage CR exercise maintainers to consider adding self-managed exercise to their weekly structured CR exercise and approach recommended volumes of activity for people their age. Results of 3 studies will be presented. Implications for theoretically-based interventions for individuals engaged in maintenance CR will be drawn.

Acknowledgments: Funding: SSHRC Canada Research Chair Award; Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation