Relationships among self-schema, intention, and exercise behavior

Author(s): Courneya, K. S.

Journal/Book: J Sport Exercise Psychol. 1997; 19: 1607 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820-2200. Human Kinetics Publ Inc. 156-168.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine if exercise self-schema predicts exercise participation and moderates the exercise intention-behavior relationship. Participants were undergraduate students categorized into exerciser schematics (n = 527), nonexerciser schematics (n = 52), and aschematics (n = 106). The first of two questionnaires, given 4 weeks apart, included intention items for moderate and strenuous exercise, and exercise at university facilities. The second questionnaire included self-reported exercise items. Attendance at the university fitness facilities was monitored during the 4-week period between questionnaires. Kruskal-Wallis tests determined exerciser schematics reported intending to and exercising more often than aschematics and nonexerciser schematics for all measures (p < .01). Fischer z transformations revealed partial support for the hypothesis that exerciser schematics would have a higher correlation between intention and exercise than aschematics or nonexerciser schematics. Discussion focused on overcoming schematic assessment problems, offered explanation of results, and proposed future exercise self-schema research.

Note: Article Estabrooks P, Univ Western Ontario, Fac Hlth Sci, London, ON N6A 3K7, CANADA

Keyword(s): exercise participation; self-image; cognitive structure

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