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Exercise in middle-aged adults: self-efficacy and self-presentational outcomes
E McAuley1, S M Bane, S L Mihalko
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Preventive Medicine
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Regular exercise boosts self-efficacy, which in turn reduces physique anxiety in middle-aged adults. Focusing on health benefits over appearance enhances positive body image and exercise adherence.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Exercise Science
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Self-efficacy is a key factor in exercise participation.
- Limited research explores self-efficacy as an outcome of exercise or its link to psychological benefits.
- This study integrates social cognitive and impression management theories for middle-aged adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine self-efficacy as an outcome of exercise participation.
- To investigate the relationship between self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and physique anxiety.
- To integrate social cognitive and impression management theories in the context of exercise.
Main Methods:
- A 5-month exercise program was implemented for formerly sedentary subjects.
- Assessments included physique anxiety, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and anthropometric variables.
- Data were collected before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- Both short-term and long-term exercise participation significantly increased self-efficacy.
- Increased self-efficacy and positive outcome expectations predicted reduced physique anxiety.
- These effects remained significant after controlling for gender and changes in body composition.
Conclusions:
- Exercise environments should be structured to foster self-efficacy and positive outcome expectations.
- Strategies emphasizing health and fitness outcomes, rather than appearance, are crucial for reducing negative body image.
- The findings support the theoretical integration of social cognitive and impression management perspectives.