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Factors determining exercise adherence
American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Theresa Dwyre Young
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One of the greatest challenges in the fitness profession is keeping clients motivated, particularly when learning new exercises. Research shows nearly half of those who begin a new exercise program will quit within six months. Fortunately, studies have identified factors that contribute to--and deter--exercise adherence.
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Personal Factors
Personal factors include demographic variables, psychological health, education, values, beliefs and behaviors. Characteristics negatively associated with maintenance of a new exercise program include obesity, tobacco use and mood swings. While it may seem knowledge of the benefits of exercise would promote adherence, studies show information alone does not translate to adherence. Understanding health benefits of exercise may lead to intention to exercise, but taking action requires something more. Although the Surgeon General's widely publicized guidelines suggest at least 30 minutes of daily exercise for good health, 60 percent of the population does not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity. However, increasing a person's belief in his or her ability to maintain an exercise program and achieve health and physical goals has been shown to increase adherence. This concept is termed "self-efficacy"--the belief that one is able to accomplish a particular task.
Other personal factors strongly associated with adherence are past participation and enjoyment. Individuals who participated in sports and physical activities as children are more likely to stick with an exercise plan as adults. Enjoyment, also called intrinsic motivation, may seem like a program factor, but sense of enjoyment is an individual belief and therefore falls under personal factors.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors most strongly predicting exercise adherence include family support, social reinforcement, convenience and appearance of the exercise location and perceived availability of time. The importance of environmental factors is evident. A perceived lack of time is the single most common reason people give for not exercising. Disruption of exercise routines is another environmental factor associated with dropout. Disruptions are environmental factors because they are often outside anyone's control.
Program Factors
Also known as activity factors, program factors include intensity of the activity, perceived effort, perceived choice of activity and support of the program or activity leader. When the intensity of an activity is overwhelming and participants perceive the exertion level as uncomfortable, they are more likely to quit. A perceived lack of" choice can lead to dropout, as can a perceived lack of interest of the activity leader.
Understanding and Applying Factors
By understanding the determinants of exercise adherence and barriers to participation, fitness professionals can identify high-risk individuals and plan methods to help them stick with an exercise plan.
Personal factors appear to have the most influence on adherence. Because obesity and smoking are correlated with dropout, exercise professionals should talk to clients about diet and smoking cessation without appearing to scold. With compassion and concern, approach them with a health plan including every aspect of their lives.
Although knowledge about the benefits of exercise doesn't seem to contribute to actual adherence, it is still the exercise professional's job to educate clients about fitness. Oftentimes, the more a client understands about fitness, the more capable they feel to achieve goals. This is the concept of self-efficacy discussed earlier. As individuals properly execute exercises they have struggled with in the past, their confidence in an exercise program increases.
As mentioned, enjoyment is a personal factor because perceived enjoyment is highly individual. Increasing enjoyment is one of the most effective means of boosting adherence. People will participate in activities they find fun. Exercise professionals can increase enjoyment by discussing with clients which aspects of an exercise program they like and which they don't. One may enjoy the endorphin rush of weight training, while another enjoys the meditative effects of yoga. Although many individuals claim to enjoy the social components of exercise, leaders and trainers should not assume this is true of everyone. Be aware of the desired level of interaction among class members.
The term "dissociation" is applied to using distraction methods such as watching television, listening to music or playing games to disconnect from the discomforts of exercise. Dissociation has not proven to be effective in long-term exercise maintenance, but masks short-term discomfort. Dissociation is only appropriate when an activity does not require focus on correct biomechanics.
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