Self-determined motivation predicts independent, home-based exercise following cardiac rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate self-determined motivation as a predictor of exercise behavior 3 and 6 weeks following completion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as well as the relationship between psychological need satisfaction and self-determined motivation to exercise.


METHODS
CR outpatients (n = 68; M(age) = 64.90 +/- 8.86 years). The design was correlational (cross-sectional and prospective), with psychological need satisfaction predicting self-determined motivation at the completion of CR and self-determined motivation predicting exercise behavior at 3- and 6-week follow-ups.


RESULTS
Psychological need satisfaction for competence predicted self-determined motivation to exercise (beta = .32, p < .05, pr(2) = .08). Self-determined motivation at the end of CR was correlated with exercise behavior at 3-week follow-up (r(68) = .22, p < .05) and predicted exercise at 6 weeks (R(2) (adjusted) = .11; beta = .35, p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
CR participants who report higher levels of psychological need satisfaction regarding exercise report greater self-determined motivation. Greater self-determined motivation to exercise, in turn, relates to higher levels of subsequent independent exercise behavior. Nurturing psychological needs and self-determined motivation during CR may assist participants in maintaining exercise following CR.
Russell
Kelly L
KL
Department of Kinesiology, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Bray
Steven R
SR
D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*