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Background. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework, the Fitness Attitude, Expectations of Others, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Intention to Exercise Scales were developed. Professionals in exercise physiology generated items for the instruments. Experts in clinical psychology and exercise physiology established content validity.
Methods. Each of the scale items is phrased in a rating scale format. Both unipolar and bipolar scales were developed with seven response choices offered. Following the pilot testing and subsequent revisions, 19 items were retained in the Fitness Attitude Scale, seven items were retained in the Expectations of Others Scale, three items were retained in the Perceived Behavioral Control Scale, and 11 items were retained in the Intention to Exercise Scale.
Results. Correlation coefficients for the total instruments were significantly positive for stability and internal consistency, ranging from (alpha=0.75 to alpha=0.87. Exercise specialists may wish to implement the use of these scales in their practices to develop intervention techniques for the promotion of positive fitness attitudes, good perception of control over the ability to exercise, and good intentions to exercise.
Conclusions. The positive results in this study's sample suggest that these scales are ready for application in the field, but they should be pilot-tested with each group to check reliability with the particular population.
KEY WORDS: Measurement - Scales - Adherence - Physical activity - Attitude - Subjective norm - Perceived control - Intention Theory of planned behavior.
A considerable number of adult persons are unwilling to participate regularly in physical activity. Although models of exercise programs vary widely, less than 40% of first-year exercisers continue into the second year.1 Of those first-year exercisers who chose not to continue, almost 50% cite reasons that may be grouped as perception of lack of control. Extant scales to measure this variable as well as other factors that predict exercise behavior are limited. The initiation of the current research was to construct scales that would enhance the understanding of this phenomenon.
Researchers have been unable to conclusively distinguish strong characteristics of exercise adherence and exercise nonadherence.2-5 Factors associated with the probability of continuing exercise may include past program participation, high risk for coronary heart disease, perceived health, level of education, self-motivation, self-efficacy, behavioral skills support by a significant other, perceived available...