Managing exercise with another highly valued and conflicting leisure time goal

Abstract

Research has identified concurrent self-regulatory efficacy as a consistent exercise predictor when adults pursue another non-exercise leisure time goal. Although intergoal conflict is an inconsistent exercise predictor, prior research did not ensure that goals were sufficiently highly valued to truly conflict. Other possible exercise predictors have not been examined among concurrent goals. The purpose was to examine whether intergoal conflict and outcome expectations (likelihood; value) predicted moderate-vigorous exercise over 1 month, beyond concurrent self-regulatory efficacy, when adults held highly valued, conflicting exercise and non-exercise goals concurrently. Eighty-seven adult exercisers pursuing highly valued and conflicting exercise and non-exercise goals completed online surveys assessing (1) concurrent self-regulatory efficacy, intergoal conflict, and outcome expectations at Time 1 and (2) exercise over the prior month at Time 2. A hierarchical multiple regression (R² adjusted = 0.24, p < .001) revealed intergoal conflict and outcome expectations accounted for a significant additional 13% of exercise variance, beyond self-regulatory efficacy. Future research should examine these social cognitions across adults who vary in their exercise levels (i.e., beginner, irregular, regular exercisers). Valuable information about which social cognitions should be targeted to improve exercise levels among each group to that of regular exercisers would result.