Examination of the outcome expectancies for female exercise initiates involved in an eight-week cardiovascular program

Abstract

Exercise engagement can help contribute to improvement in fitness, maintenance of a healthy weight, and to the prevention of disease (PHAC, 2003). Despite these benefits, 48% of Canadians are currently inactive (CFLRI, 2008). The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in outcome expectations and values among female exercise initiates grouped into an imagery or control condition. According to social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986), one potential contributor to the adoption and maintenance of exercise behaviour is outcome expectation (Resnick & Spellbring, 2000). Individuals hold a belief that engaging in a specific behaviour will lead to a desired outcome (i.e., expectancies) and place a level of importance on that expected outcome (i.e., value; Hall et al., 1998). Previous research suggests a valued outcome of an initiate can contribute to their behavioural intention (Rodgers & Brawley, 1996). Participants (N = 52, M_age = 37.4 years, M_BMI = 31) completed an eight-week cardiovascular program and reported outcome expectations and values at baseline, week five, and week nine. With respect to outcome expectations, a 2 (group) ×3 (time) repeated measures MANOVA revealed only a significant main effect for time. Follow-up analyses indicated that female initiates significantly expected their physical health, appearance, and fitness to improve at each time point. Conducting a similar analysis for outcome value, only a significant main effect for time was found, with participants increasing the value placed on improvement to appearance. Results from this study may be utilized to develop specific interventions for female initiates by targeting outcome expectations aimed at enhancing exercise intentions.

Acknowledgments: Research was funded by SSHRC