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Published on: December 1, 2023
Exercise motivation mediates the relationship between basic psychological needs and exercise adherence in older
Zhiyue Li1, Xinxin Li1, Xincan Zhou1
1School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, No.101 Science Avenue, High-tech Zone, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Background:
Community-dwelling older adults with coronary heart disease (CHD) exhibit low adherence to exercise regimens. Exercise aids in secondary prevention, yet adherence remains low.
Objectives:
Guided by self-determination theory (SDT), this study aimed to investigate the current status of exercise adherence and its associated factors among older adult patients with coronary heart disease who reside in the community and to explore the interconnections among exercise motivation, basic psychological needs for exercise, and exercise adherence.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 207 community-dwelling older adults with CHD was conducted from communities in Zhengzhou City between February and May 2023. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the General Information Questionnaire, Exercise Adherence Questionnaire, Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (PNSE), Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2), and Control Attitudes Scale-Revised (CAS-R).
Results:
Exercise adherence was moderate (M = 24.02, SD = 5.74). Key predictors included monthly income (≥3000 CNY), exercise frequency, basic psychological needs, autonomous motivation, and perceived control (p < 0.05). Basic psychological needs directly predicted exercise adherence (β = 0.257, p < 0.001) and indirectly via exercise motivation (indirect effect = 0.323, 95% CI [0.240, 0.416]), accounting for 55.7% of the total effect.
Conclusion:
Basic psychological needs for exercise had a predictive direct impact on the exercise adherence of community-dwelling older adults with coronary heart disease. It is possible to improve exercise adherence by intervening in patients' exercise motivation and basic psychological needs for exercise.
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