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Sport
Psychology(psy407)
VU
Lesson
41
EXERCISE
PSYCHOLOGY
Theories
of Exercise Behavior
Psychological
models of human behavior
have been applied to the exercise-setting
in an attempt to explain
why
people don't exercise, why they
start to exercise, and why
they do or do not continue to exercise,
and
why
they start exercising again if they
stop. These models
include:
·
The
Theory of Reasoned
Action
·
The
Theory of Planned Behavior
·
The
Transtheoretical Model
·
Social
Cognitive Theory
The
Theory of Reasoned Action
The
theory of reasoned action proposes
that the main precursor of a behavior
such as exercise is the
individual's
intention to perform the behavior.
The intention to perform the
behavior is determined by the
individual's
attitude towards the behavior as
well as social norms or
social pressure to perform the
behavior.
Research
by Estabrooks and Courneya
(1997) has demonstrated the
effectiveness of the theory of
reasoned
action
in exercise settings. While the theory of
reasoned action is a viable model for
predicting exercise
behavior,
research has demonstrated
that its predictive power is increased
when personal control is added
to
the
model. This observation led to the development of the
theory of planned behavior.
The
Theory of Planned Behavior
The
theory of planned behavior is an
extension of the theory of reasoned
action. The intention to perform
a
behavior
is fundamental to the theory. Intention is determined
by the individual's attitude towards
the
behavior
and social norms. The
difference between the theory of reasoned
action and theory of planned
behavior
is the addition of behavioral control to the latter
model. An individual will maintain or
initiate an
exercise
program if his intention is firm
and he feels in control.
Intention is in turn a function of
his attitude
towards
exercise and perceived
social support. Several researches
have demonstrated general
support for the
theory
of planned behavior in predicting
exercise behavior. Strong
support for the theory of
planned
behavior
is also provided through
meta-analysis reported by Hausenblas,
Carron, and Mack
(1997).
The
Transtheoretical Model
According
to the transtheoretical model, individuals
pass through five dynamic
stages in adopting healthy
long-term
exercise behavior. The
stages are dynamic, because
individuals may move in and
out of the
several
stages before reaching the final
stage, which is also
dynamic.
The
five stages are:
(5)
1.
Precontemplation
2.
Contemplation
3.
Preparation
4.
Action
5.
Maintenance
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Sport
Psychology(psy407)
VU
Other
factors that interact include
self-efficacy, perception of gains and
losses, and a set of
psychological
obstacles
that may need to be
addressed (e.g., personal or
family conflicts).
Social
Cognitive Theory
Social
cognitive theory provides a viable way to
explain exercise behavior.
Individuals who are
dissatisfied
with
their current exercise behavior
who exhibit high levels of
exercise self-efficacy, and
who set exercise
goals
are generally able to
achieve their goals.
Exercise self-efficacy is a powerful
predictor of exercise
behavior.
Individuals who believe in
themselves and believe that
they can be successful at maintaining
an
exercise
program generally are
successful.
Fitness
as a Moderator of Life Stress
Given
the positive relationship between
exercise and improved mental
health, it follows that physical
fitness
should
serve as a buffer against
life stress. The ability of
individuals to insulate, protect, or
inoculate
themselves
against the stresses of life
through regular exercise is
called stress inoculation.
Research shows
that
the psychological benefits associated
with regular exercise do not
normally require an increase in
physical
fitness. Aerobics fitness, however, does
appear to be a necessary precursor to the
stress inoculation
effect.
Aerobically fit individuals
appear to be inoculated against stress,
illness, and the general
hassles of life
to
a greater extent than less
aerobically fit individuals. Children
and adults who engage in
healthy behavior
that
leads to physical fitness
can insulate themselves from
various physical and
psychological health
problems
throughout their
lives.
Life
stress represents an accumulation of the
daily hassles and challenges
of living out our lives.
Individuals
who
exercise regularly and maintain a high
level of physical fitness are
less susceptible to the negative
effects
of
life stress. Evidence of this hypothesis
has been provided by a number of
researchers. Research results
of
an
investigation show an interactive relationship between
life stress, physical
fitness, and number of
visits
the
the health center (illness). Being
physically fit serves to inoculate the
individual against illness
during
periods
of high stress. Conversely,
physically unfit individuals
appear to be unprotected against high
stress.
References
Cox,
H. Richard. (2002). Sport Psychology:
Concepts and Applications.
(Fifth Edition). New
York:
McGraw-Hill
Companies
Lavallec.
D., Kremer, J., Moran,
A., & Williams. M. (2004)
Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes.
New
York:
Palgrave Macmillan
Publishers
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Pakistan
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