Self-regulatory efficacy and activity: Examining gradations of challenge

Objectives

This study examined different scheduling demands as a moderator of the self-regulatory efficacy (SRE)/physical activity relationship.

Design

A prospective design was used.

Method

Adolescents (N = 275) reported SRE and activity during times that reflected high and low scheduling demands.

Results

When scheduling demands were high, SRE predicted individual activity behavior (p < .001). During a period that reflected lower scheduling demands, however, SRE did not predict physical activity behavior (p = .25).

Conclusions

These findings support the idea that the level of challenge (demands) may be an important factor to consider when examining the SRE/activity behavior relationship.