WANT TO DO EXERCISE AND DO EXERCISE: THE ROLE OF PERSONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

Abstract

Luís Carneiro y A. Rui Gomes

The majority of the world population is physically inactive or insufficiently active to benefit from exercise practice. This study analyzed the psychological differences according the frequency of exercise practice and the predictors of exercise practice. The study included 454 exercisers of Bodybuilding, Cardio-Fitness, and Rhythm Activities, from a fitness center in Portugal. It was evaluated personal and psychological variables of participants. Results showed that (a) regular exercisers demonstrated higher perceptions of past exercise behavior, higher attraction toward exercise, and more positive experiences of well-being in exercise; (b) the predictors of exercise practice (e.g., intention of doing exercise, past exercise behavior, and exercise behavior) were being male, attraction toward exercise, higher perceived effort, higher well-being, and less fatigue in exercise. In conclusion, regular exercisers benefit more from exercise and personal and psychological factors explain the experience of participants in exercise practice.