Self-efficacy Mediates the Relationship Between Motivation and Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure

Motivation is necessary in patients with heart failure (HF) who are attempting to become more physically active but may not be sufficient to initiate physical activity. Self-efficacy might explain the relationship between motivation and physical activity.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of exercise self-efficacy in the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity in patients with HF.

A total of 100 stable patients with HF (88% in New York Heart Association class II/III; mean age, 67 ± 13 years; 62% men) were studied. Self-efficacy was measured with the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale; motivation, with the Exercise Motivation Index; and physical activity, with a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were made to examine the mediation effect of exercise self-efficacy on the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity.

Forty-two percent of the 100 patients reported engaging in less than 60 minutes per week of physical activity. Motivation predicted physical activity (b = 0.58, P < .05), but after controlling for self-efficacy, the relationship between motivation and physical activity was no longer significant (b = 0.76, P = .06), indicating full mediation.

Motivation to be physically active is important but not sufficient. In addition to a high level of motivation to be physically active, it is important that patients with HF have a high degree of self-efficacy.