Effects of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism on adherence to step aerobic exercise classes

This study investigated the effects of generalized and domain-specific expectancies on participation in 8 weeks of step aerobic-exercise classes. 154 university students and staff who registered for step aerobic classes completed measures of aerobic self-efficacy and dispositional optimism prior to attending their first class. Attendance was taken at each session by the instructors. A split at the median on attendance classified participants as dropouts or adherers. Analysis indicated that adheres scored significantly higher on self-efficacy that did dropouts. Adherers and dropouts did not differ on dispositional optimism.