A survey of exercise beliefs and exercise habits among people with arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore a possible explanation for the problem of why few people exercise despite the positive health advantages, by examining the relationship between exercise beliefs and participation in exercise activities.


METHODS
Eighty-one respondents aged 27-80 were recruited from 3 Chicago-area health care facilities to complete the study survey; 68 (84%) did so. Participants were asked about their participation in 6 types of exercise activities; they also reported their beliefs concerning their ability to exercise (self-efficacy for exercise), barriers to exercise, benefits of exercise, and the impact of exercise on their arthritis.


RESULTS
Study results indicate that belief in the benefits of exercise and self-efficacy for exercise are associated with participation in exercise activities. Also, severity of disease differentiated exercisers from non-exercisers.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest the importance of finding ways to strengthen belief in the benefits of exercise and self-efficacy for exercise in people with arthritis, particularly people with moderate to severe disease-related limitations.
Gecht
M R
MR
Connell
K J
KJ
Sinacore
J M
JM
Prohaska
T R
TR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires