Application of the limited strength model of self-regulation to understanding exercise effort, planning and adherence.
The limited strength model posits that self-regulatory strength is a finite, renewable resource that is drained when people attempt to regulate their emotions, thoughts or behaviours. The purpose of this study was to determine whether self-regulatory depletion can explain lapses in exercise effort, planning and adherence. In a lab-based experiment, participants exposed to a self-regulatory depletion manipulation generated lower levels of work during a 10 min bicycling task, and planned to exert less effort during an upcoming exercise bout, compared with control participants. The magnitude of reduction in planned exercise effort predicted exercise adherence over a subsequent 8-week period. Together, these results suggest that self-regulatory depletion can influence exercise effort, planning and decision-making and that the depletion of self-regulatory resources can explain episodes of exercise non-adherence both in the lab and in everyday life.
Martin Ginis
Kathleen A
KA
Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. martink@mcmaster.ca
Bray
Steven R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000523:psychology; D032882:Comprehension; D003657:Decision Making; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014836:Volition; D055815:Young Adult