Influences on the stages and processes of exercise adoption in women

Abstract

The present study investigated the transtheoretical model of behaviour change in relation to exercise adoption and maintenance in a sample of 140 women. The aim was to examine the relationship between the stages of exercise change, and the constructs of processes of change, costs and benefits of exercising, self-efficacy, and self-rated health. Analyses revealed that the processes, pros, cons, self-efficacy, and self-rated health were significantly associated with stage of exercise adoption. Specifically, the processes fluctuated, pros and self-efficacy increased, and cons decreased across the stages from precontemplation to maintenance. A stage exercise adoption perspective may be particularly useful for understanding how women adopt and sustain exercise regimes. © 2006, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.