2021

Kaushal, Navin; Bérubé, Béatrice; Hagger, Martin S.; Bherer, Louis

Background Engaging in exercise behaviour regularly requires a repeated investment of resources to reap the health benefits. An individual’s self‐control resources, when performing a behaviour can be perceived as being recharged or depleted. The investigation on how self‐control beliefs resources predict exercise behaviour is very limited in the literature. The purpose of this study was to understand how self‐control beliefs predict exercise behaviour across time in a physical activity model. Methods Participants (N = 161) were a sample of adults recruited across twelve gyms and recreation centres in a large city. Participants completed surveys across five months. Data were analysed using a multilevel structural equation model with participants (level 2) nested within time (level 1). Results Behaviour was found to be a function of intention, habit, and planning. Specifically, planning moderated the intention‐behaviour relationship, where those who scored higher on planning engaged in more exercise. Self‐control beliefs functioned as a proximal predictor of autonomous motivation and predicted habit, and intention when accounting for total effects. Conclusions Self‐control beliefs played a pivotal role in supporting recognized exercise determinants. Exercise‐focussed interventions that help participants strengthen their beliefs as recharging and reduce depletion beliefs could be beneficial for promoting regular exercise.