Is diabetes associated with poorer self-efficacy and motivation for physical activity in older adults with arthritis?
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim was to explore whether arthritis is associated with poorer self-efficacy and motivation for, and participation in, two specific types of physical activity (PA): endurance training (ET) and strength training (ST). A further objective was to determine whether the added burden of diabetes contributes to a further reduction in these PA determinants and types.


METHODS
Self-efficacy and motivation for exercise and minutes per week of ET and ST were measured in 347 older veterans enrolled in a home-based PA counselling intervention. Regression analyses were used to compare high versus low self-efficacy and motivation and PA minutes in persons without arthritis, with arthritis alone, and with arthritis plus diabetes.


RESULTS
Persons with arthritis alone reported lower self-efficacy for ET and ST than those without arthritis [odds ratio (OR)ET 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–1.20; ORST 0.69, 95% CI 0.39–1.20]. A further reduction in self-efficacy for these two types of PA was observed for those with both arthritis and diabetes (ORET 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.92; ORST 0.64, 95% CI 0.44–0.93; trend p < 0.001). There was no trend towards a reduction in motivation for PA in those with arthritis alone or with arthritis and diabetes. Persons with arthritis exhibited higher motivation for ET than those without arthritis (ORET 1.85, 95% CI 1.12–3.33). There were no significant differences between the three groups in minutes of ET (p = 0.93), but persons with arthritis plus diabetes reported significantly less ST compared to individuals with arthritis only (p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite reduced self-efficacy for ET and ST and less ST in older persons with arthritis, motivation for both PA types remains high, even in the presence of diabetes.
Huffman
K M
KM
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Huffm007@mc.duke.edu
Hall
K S
KS
Sloane
R
R
Peterson
M J
MJ
Bosworth
H B
HB
Ekelund
C
C
Pearson
M
M
Howard
T
T
Pieper
C F
CF
Morey
M C
MC
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055070:Resistance Training; D012649:Self Concept