title: Self-efficacy and enjoyment of middle school children performing the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER).
abstract: Self-efficacy and enjoyment were examined among 34 middle school children (M age = 12.5 yr.) performing the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER). Exercise self-efficacy (running) and physical activity enjoyment were measured after viewing a video illustrating the PACER, and subsequently following a PACER test. Significantly greater pre- than post-exercise self-efficacy was reported; enjoyment scores did not differ. Ratings of self-efficacy were higher before exercise than after, but enjoyment scores were not significantly different. A significant correlation was found between post-exercise self-efficacy and enjoyment, but not between pre-exercise self-efficacy and enjoyment. Although positive correlations were found between PACER laps and pre-/post-exercise self-efficacy, correlations with ratings of enjoyment were not significant. Exercise self-efficacy was associated with children's beliefs about the task-specific PACER aerobic exercise; however, exercise enjoyment was stable. Children's self-efficacy and enjoyment beliefs should be considered when developing interventional strategies to promote aerobic exercise participation.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Carl I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Fertman
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Nagle
authors.forename: Wendell R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: McConnaha
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Rabin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy