title: The effect of life events and exercise program format on the adoption and maintenance of exercise behavior.
abstract: This study prospectively investigated the effects of major life events on subsequent exercise adherence rates of individuals (N = 173) participating in a 2-year, randomized, controlled clinical trial of 3 different exercise conditions (higher-intensity home-based; lower-intensity home-based; and higher-intensity class-based). For 3 of 4 6-month exercise-adherence periods, an analysis of variance indicated a significant main effect (p < .05) for major life events. Compared with participants reporting 0 or 1 major life event, exercise adherence in the maintenance phase was significantly lower for those reporting 3 or 4 major life events regardless of the exercise condition. No significant life-event-exercise-adherence relationship was found in the adoption phase of exercise participation (i.e., Months 1 to 6). The deleterious effect of life events emphasizes the importance of instruction regarding how to prepare for high-risk situations that can lead to missed exercise sessions or to program attrition.
authors: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190, USA. roy-oman@ouhsc.edu
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Oman
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors