Examining the Revised Theory of Planned Behavior for Predicting Exercise Adherence: A Preliminary Prospective Study

This study examined the utility of Maddux’s (1993) revised theory of planned behavior toward the prediction of exercise intentions and adherence. A prospective design was employed whereby 120 private sector health club members completed self report measures pertaining to various components of the revised theory. Adherence was measured prospectively over a sixteen week period by monitoring attendance toward prescribed exercise programs. Path analysis was used to analyze the predictions of the revised theory. Goodness of fit indices suggested an acceptable fit with the data (RMSEA <0.07; CFI > 0.94; SRMSR <0.08). However, self-efficacy was the only theoretical construct to predict intention, with the latter being the only determinant of exercise adherence. Contrary to the revised theory hypotheses, the remaining contribution of the social cognitive variables in predicting exercise intentions and adherence were minimal. The results of the present investigation provide equivocal support for the revised theory; however future research may wish to consider several of the methodological issues discussed.