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Background: Recent physical activity research is limited by intention-behavior discordance and is beginning to recognize the importance of automatic processes in exercise. The purpose of the current study was to examine the role of multidimensional exercise self-efficacy (SE), explicit-implicit evaluative discrepancies (EIEDs) for health, and appearance on the intention-behavior gap in exercise. Methods: A total of 141 middle-aged inactive participants (mean age = 46.12 [8.17] y) completed measures of intentions, SE, and explicit and implicit evaluations of exercise outcomes. The participants were classified as inclined actors (n = 107) if they successfully started the exercise program and inclined abstainers (n = 35) if they were not successful. Results: The inclined actors and abstainers did not differ on intentions to exercise; however, the inclined actors had higher coping SE and lower EIEDs for health. In addition, the coping SE (Exp [ß] = 1.03) and EIEDs for health (Exp [ß] = -0.405) were significant predictors of being an inclined actor. Conclusions: The interaction between explicit and implicit processes in regard to health motives for exercise appears to influence the successful enactment of exercise from positive intentions. As most physical activity promotion strategies focus on health as a reason to be active, the role of implicit and explicit evaluations on behavioral decisions to exercise may inform future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrepancies between automatically activated associations (i.e., implicit evaluations) and explicit evaluations of motives (measured with a questionnaire) could lead to greater information processing to resolve discrepancies or self-regulatory failures that may affect behavior. This research examined the relationship of health and appearance exercise-related explicit-implicit evaluative discrepancies, the interaction between implicit and explicit evaluations, and the combined value of explicit and implicit evaluations (i.e., the summed scores) to dropout from a yearlong exercise program. Participants (N = 253) completed implicit health and appearance measures and explicit health and appearance motives at baseline, prior to starting the exercise program. The sum of implicit and explicit appearance measures was positively related to weeks in the program, and discrepancy between the implicit and explicit health measures was negatively related to length of time in the program. Implicit exercise evaluations and their relationships to oft-cited motives such as appearance and health may inform exercise dropout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to parenthood is associated with declines in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and increases in light PA (LPA). One potential mechanism for this change in PA that occur at the onset of parenthood is housework. We examined housework load and PA levels of three cohorts of couples across 12 months recruited from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada between January 2007 and December 2011. Participants (N = 314; 102 not expecting a child, 136 expecting first-child, 76 expecting second child) completed baseline demographics and 7-day accelerometry, followed by assessments at 6 and 12 months. Hierarchical linear regression assessed the association between PA, housework, and perceptions of partner's workload. New fathers' but not new mothers' housework was positively related to their LPA at 12 months. Perceptions of partners' workload were positively related to new mothers LPA, and negatively related to new fathers MVPA at 12 months. Mediation analysis determined if perceived behavioral control accounts for the relationship between the discrepancy in housework between partners' PA. Results suggest that if a woman perceives their partner to do more housework their own PA increases, whereas for men their PA decreases. These findings highlight the importance of the division of housework on PA for both mothers and fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationship between Facebook (FB) use, relatedness and exercise motivation. Design Two studies comprised a mixed-methods concurrent design. Study 1 was a cross-sectional quantitative assessment of the relationships between FB use, relatedness and exercise motivation. Study 2 explored qualitative perceptions of how FB influences exercise motivation. Method Study 1: 311 undergraduate students completed a survey assessing FB use, exercise motivation and relatedness. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine relationships. Study 2: 19 participants took part in focus groups exploring experiences of exercise-related FB use and its perceived role in motivation. Results Study 1: FB use was related to external and introjected regulation. Relatedness mediated the relationships between FB use, introjection, and autonomous forms of motivation. Study 2: Qualitative data suggested FB can either promote (through connection, positive social comparison) or discourage exercise (through disconnection, negative social comparison, health-negating features). Conclusion FB use was related to external and introjected regulation. Positive relationships between FB and autonomous forms of motivation were mediated by relatedness, suggesting that interventions should focus on fostering feelings of connection with others. FB use that encourages relatedness with like-minded individuals has potential to promote autonomous motivation for exercise. Highlights • FB can influence both controlled and autonomous forms of motivation. • Relatedness mediates the relationship between FB use and exercise motivation. • FB use that leads to feelings of disconnection can have negative effects on exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationship between exercise imagery and exercise dependence, building on the limitations of previous work that has considered exercise dependence as a single factor construct. Examining the relationship between imagery and separate exercise dependence symptoms is vital to expand what is known about exercise dependence, but also to inform interventions to address exercise dependence. A total of 339 male (n = 99) and female (n = 240) adults completed measures of exercise dependence and imagery. Structural equation modelling revealed that different types of imagery were related to different exercise dependence symptoms. Appearance and health imagery were positively associated with tolerance, reduction in other activities, and lack of control symptoms. Routines imagery was positively associated with intention effects, whereas technique imagery was negatively associated with intention effects. Feelings imagery was positively associated with withdrawal symptoms of exercise dependence. These differential effects highlight the importance of considering exercise dependence multidimensionally; in particular, patterns of exercise imagery use may have important implications for interventions aimed at reducing/preventing exercise dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity studies have often excluded women, resulting in limited information regarding the influences on women's non-participation. The present study aimed to explore the exercise views and cognitions of inactive adult women. Forty women aged 25-75 took part in the focus groups. Themes that emerged from the interviews included merits of exercise, thoughts and feelings, knowledge, barriers, and strategies. Results indicated that inactivity is due to a variety of culminating factors; health-promotion strategies need to specifically target different age groups. These strategies include increasing awareness of the social and psychological benefits of exercise, exercise as a supplement to activities of daily living, changing the perception of what constitutes exercise, and representing exercisers as a variety of ages and body shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]