title: Self-Control Strength Depletion Reduces Self-Efficacy and Impairs Exercise Performance.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of task self-efficacy as a psychological factor involved in the relationship between self-control depletion and physical endurance. Participants (N = 37) completed two isometric handgrip endurance trials, separated by a Stroop task, which was either congruent (control) or incongruent (causing depletion). Task self-efficacy for the second endurance trial was measured following the Stroop task. Participants in the depletion condition reported lower task self-efficacy and showed a greater reduction in performance on the second endurance trial when compared with controls. Task self-efficacy also mediated the relationship between self-control depletion and endurance performance. The results of this study provide evidence that task self-efficacy is negatively affected following self-control depletion. We recommend that task self-efficacy be further investigated as a psychological factor accounting for the negative change in self-control performance of physical endurance and sport tasks following self-control strength depletion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D000068356:Self-Control; D055815:Young Adult