Exercise motives of long-term phase IV cardiac rehabilitation participants

Morag Thow*, Danny Rafferty, Harriet Kelly

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the exercise motives of long-term phase IV cardiac rehabilitation participants. Design: A two-stage triangulation approach was used where more than one methodology is used, either sequentially or concurrently, in a study. Setting: Phase IV cardiac rehabilitation classes held in the community. Participants: Fifty-five phase IV participants (30 men aged 66 ± 7.4 years and 25 women aged 69 ± 6.5 years) completed the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2). Four women and five men were in the focus groups (men aged 65 ± 5.7 years and women aged 68 ± 5.4 years). All the participants had attended phase IV exercise sessions for at least 5 years. Results: Motivational drivers of ill-health avoidance and positive health were consistently rated highly by men and women, as were social support and fun. Intrinsic motivational drivers of nimbleness, enjoyment and revitalisation were also rated highly by men and women. Only two areas were rated significantly higher by men [i.e. attachment to the group), 3 (2.5 to 3.8) for males and 2.5 (2.0 to 3.0) for females (P = 0.022); and stress management, 3.3 (1.4 to 4.3) for males and 2 (1.4 to 3.0) for females (P = 0.028). Weight management, competition, challenge, appearance and social recognition were consistently given a low rating by men and women. Conclusions: Key motivational factors influence exercise participation. For rehabilitation providers, it is important to have an understanding of these factors and furthermore be able to shape and adapt programmes to promote uptake and maintain exercise adherence.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)281-285
Number of pages5
JournalPhysiotherapy
Volume94
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2008

Keywords

  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Exercise
  • Motivation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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