Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 54, Issue 5 P283-P292, Copyright © 1999 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

Mode of physical activity and self-efficacy in older adults: a latent growth curve analysis

E McAuley, J Katula, SL Mihalko, B Blissmer, TE Duncan, M Pena and E Dunn
Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. a-mc3@uiuc.edu

A randomized controlled trial examined the effect of two physical activity modes on changes in self-efficacy over the course of a 12- month period in older, formerly sedentary adults (N = 174, M age = 65.5 years). Participants were randomized into either an aerobic activity group or a stretching and toning group. Structural equation modeling was employed to conduct multiple sample latent growth curve analyses of individual growth in exercise and physical self-efficacy over time. Results revealed a curvilinear growth pattern for both types of efficacy with increases occurring over the first 6 months followed by declines at the 6-month follow-up. There was a significant treatment by mean level growth interaction for exercise efficacy with both groups increasing over time, but the aerobic group evidenced a twofold increase in growth over the stretching group. Structural analyses indicated that frequency of exercise participation was a significant predictor of overall growth in efficacy, and improvements in fitness were only related to exercise efficacy growth in the stretching group. Findings are discussed in terms of social cognitive theory and further application of latent growth curve modeling to studies of physical activity effects in older adults.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. L. Greaney, D. Riebe, C. Ewing Garber, J. S. Rossi, F. D. Lees, P. A. Burbank, C. R. Nigg, C. L. Ferrone, and P. G. Clark Long-Term Effects of a Stage-Based Intervention for Changing Exercise Intentions and Behavior in Older Adults Gerontologist, June 1, 2008; 48(3): 358 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Perkins, K. S. Multhaup, H. W. Perkins, and C. Barton Self-Efficacy and Participation in Physical and Social Activity Among Older Adults in Spain and the United States Gerontologist, February 1, 2008; 48(1): 51 - 58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Li, P. Harmer, N. R. Chaumeton, T. E. Duncan, and S. C. Duncan Tai Chi as a Means to Enhance Self-Esteem: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Applied Gerontology, March 1, 2002; 21(1): 70 - 89. [Abstract] [PDF]