title: Social-cognitive determinants of physical activity attendance in older adults.
abstract: The present study evaluated whether, and to what extent, the constructs implicated in the theory of planned behavior could predict behavioral intention to exercise and exercise-class attendance of older adults (age 65-90 years) already enrolled in a physical activity program. The study also evaluated whether including self-efficacy judgments might improve the predictive capacity of the model. Participants (N = 1,095) were randomly sampled Italian volunteers from exercise classes for older adults. First, they completed questionnaires assessing the above-mentioned constructs. Then, class attendance was recorded during the following 3 months. Results indicated a substantial correspondence between the model and the data. Perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy were the strongest predictors of behavioral intention, whereas attitudes and subjective norms only partially contributed to its prediction. The inclusion of self-efficacy improved the predictive capacity of the overall model. Finally, results showed a weak relation between behavioral intention and attendance rate in physical activity sessions.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via Dei marsi, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lucidi
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grano
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbaranelli
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Violani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D004644:Emotions; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012919:Social Behavior