Efficacy-mediated effects of spirituality and physical activity on quality of life: a path analysis.

Background: Physical activity has been established as an important determinant of quality of life, particularly among older adults. Previous research has suggested that physical activity's influence on quality of life perceptions is mediated by changes in self-efficacy and health status. In the same vein, spirituality may be a salient quality of life determinant for many individuals.

Correlates of functional fitness in older adults.

Background: Self-efficacy has been shown to be both an antecedent and determinant of behaviors such as physical activity and may explain variance in the performance of functional tasks among older adults.

Purpose: The objectives of the current study were: first, to identify potential latent factors of functional fitness (i.e.

Neuroanatomical correlates of aging, cardiopulmonary fitness level, and education.

Fitness and education may protect against cognitive impairments in aging. They may also counteract age-related structural changes within the brain. Here we analyzed volumetric differences in cerebrospinal fluid and gray and white matter, along with neuropsychological data, in adults differing in age, fitness, and education.

Assessing walking behaviors of selected subpopulations.

Recent innovations in physical activity (PA) assessment have made it possible to assess the walking behaviors of a wide variety of populations. Objective measurement methods (e.g.

Effects of self-efficacy on physical activity enjoyment in college-aged women.

This study examined the effects of exercise self-efficacy on enjoyment of physical activity in a sample of low to moderately active college-aged women (N = 28). Participants were randomized into a low- or high-efficacy condition, and efficacy beliefs for engaging in moderate intensity physical activity were manipulated by providing bogus feedback after a maximal incremental exercise test. All participants completed a 30-min moderate intensity cycling session 2-3 d after the efficacy manipulation.

Influence of self-efficacy on the functional relationship between ratings of perceived exertion and exercise intensity.

Purpose: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) has been consistently used as a subjective index of exercise intensity for both exercise testing and prescription. Little empirical efforts have been made to determine how psychological factors influence changes in RPE. This study examined the influence of self-efficacy expectations on changes in RPE as a function of exercise intensity.

Long-term follow-up of physical activity behavior in older adults.

Objective: To examine the contribution of social-cognitive factors (self-efficacy and affect) in predicting long-term physical activity in a sample of older adults (N=174).

Design: A prospective design assessed physical activity and psychosocial variables at 2 and 5 years following a 6-month randomized, controlled exercise trial.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome variable was self-reported physical activity, with previous behavior, self-efficacy, and affect assessed as determinants of physical activity.

Physical activity and functional limitations in older women: influence of self-efficacy.

This study examined the role of self-efficacy and physical function performance in the relationship between physical activity and functional limitations. Older women (age, M = 68.2 years) completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, physical function performance, and functional limitations at the baseline of an ongoing study.

Does self-efficacy influence leg muscle pain during cycling exercise?

Unlabelled: This experiment examined the effect of a manipulation of self-efficacy beliefs on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate-intensity cycling exercise among women. Low to moderately active college-age women (n = 28) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions that were designed to either increase or decrease efficacy beliefs for engaging in moderate intensity physical activity. Efficacy was manipulated based on bogus feedback after a maximal incremental exercise test.

Physical activity and quality of life in older adults: influence of health status and self-efficacy.

Background: Physical activity has been positively linked to quality of life (QOL) in older adults. Measures of health status and global well-being represent common methods of assessing QOL outcomes, yet little has been done to determine the nature of the relationship of these outcomes with physical activity.

Purpose: We examined the roles played by physical activity, health status, and self-efficacy in global QOL (satisfaction with life) in a sample of older Black and White women.

Physical activity enhances long-term quality of life in older adults: efficacy, esteem, and affective influences.

Background: Physical activity has been effective in enhancing quality of life (QOL) of older adults over relatively short periods of time. However, little is known about the long-term effects of physical activity and even less about the possible mediators of this relationship.

Purpose: We examined the mediating effects of psychological variables on the relationship between physical activity and global QOL (satisfaction with life) in older adults over a 4-year period.

Physical activity, self-efficacy, and self-esteem: longitudinal relationships in older adults.

We examined the structure of the expanded version of the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model in a sample of older adults (N = 174; age, M = 66.7 years) across a 4-year period. A panel analysis revealed support for the indirect effects of physical activity (PA) and self-efficacy (SE) on physical self-worth and global esteem through subdomain levels of esteem.

Measuring disability and function in older women: psychometric properties of the late-life function and disability instrument.

Background: The recent development of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LL-FDI) was an important contribution to the measurement of function and disability in older adults. The present study examined the psychometric properties and construct validity of the LL-FDI measure in a sample of older women.

Methods: Older black (n = 81) and white (n = 168) women completed the LL-FDI, several measures of physical function, and physical activity measures, and had their body mass index assessed at baseline of an ongoing prospective study.

Depressive symptoms among older adults: long-term reduction after a physical activity intervention.

We examined the effects of two physical activity modes on depressive symptoms over a 5-year period among older adults and change in physical self-esteem as a mediator of changes in depressive symptoms. Formerly sedentary, older adults (N = 174) were randomly assigned into 6-month conditions of either walking or low-intensity resistance/flexibility training. Depressive symptoms and physical self-esteem were measured before and after the 6-month intervention, and 12 and 60 months after intervention initiation.

Physical activity-related well-being in older adults: social cognitive influences.

In this study, the pattern and correlates of physical activity-related well-being in older adults (N = 174; men = 49, women = 125; mean age = 66 years) were examined across a 6-month exercise trial. Baseline levels of self-efficacy fitness, importance of physical activity, and social support and exercise participation across the trial were used as correlates of positive and negative feeling states. Psychological responses to physical activity were assessed on a bimonthly basis across the trial.