STRENGTH EFFICACY AND STAGE OF EXERCISE BEHAVIOR AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Regular exercise is a contributor to the overall health and wellbeing of older adults. Unfortunately, 70+% of older adults do not participate in a regular exercise behavior. Self-efficacy and stage of change behavior (SOCB) have been suggested as determinates of exercise behavior in adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1986, 1997) and SOCB (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983, 1996) to the initiation of an in-home strength training exercise program. Propositions were that persons with high self-efficacy and/or in an action mode of SOCB would try the exercises when compared with those in preaction stages and/or low self-efficacy. The sample included healthy, community-dwelling older adults (N = 91) 65 or older (M = 73.8 years). SOCB and self-efficacy were assessed at the initial meeting and at six and twelve weeks. SOCB was determined by the participant's “highest degree” of agreement on one of six items on the SOCB questionnaire consisting of six items and using a 5-point Likert scale. The Strength Self-Efficacy Questionnaire consisted of 42 items with 10-point semantic scales. Both instruments have demonstrated reliability and validity. A significantly higher percentage of participants in the “action” stages tried the exercises compared with those in a pre-action group (determined by X2). Participants who tried the strength training exercises had significantly higher total and strength self-efficacy scores than those who did not (determined by independent t-tests). The findings suggest that self-efficacy and stage of change behavior may be contributors to older adults' decisions to initiate strength training exercises in a home strength training program. Further research will include a planned intervention incorporating a supervised home exercise program to assess whether actual experience with the exercises impacts the contribution of self-efficacy and SOCB to participation in the exercise program.