Self-regulation and self-control in exercise: The strength-energy model

Self-regulation is an important component of psychosocial theories of exercise behaviour and lack of self-regulatory skills are associated with low adherence to health-related exercise. This review presents a strength-energy model of self-control as an explanation of self-regulation in exercise contexts. The review will provide impetus for original research aimed at understanding exercise behaviour and help develop recommendations for exercise promotion. In the model, self-control is conceptualized as a global but limited resource. Engaging in actions requiring self-control depletes resources leading to self-regulatory failure. Self-control resource depletion is reduced through rest and frequent training on self-control. The expectation of the need to exert self-control in future leads to a conservation of self-control resources. Proposed mechanisms for self-control resource depletion include changes in physiological markers and blood glucose levels. Based on our review, we propose an integrated model of self-regulation incorporating hypotheses from the strength-energy model with those from traditional psychosocial models of exercise behaviour. Recommendations for future research include incorporating hypotheses from the strength-energy model into theories of self-presentation and interpersonal relations in exercise. Practical recommendations aimed at minimising self-control depletion in exercise include the provision of advice on nutrition and recovery, self-control training and motivational and implementation intention strategies

Barriers to Exercise Behavior among Older Adults: A Focus-Group Study

Longer life expectancy, rapid population growth, and low exercise-participation rates of adults 65 and older justify the need for better understanding of older adults' exercise behavior. The objectives of this focus-group study were to determine barriers to the exercise behavior of older adults. Six focus groups, three with exercisers and three with nonexercisers, were conducted at various sites throughout Rhode Island. The majority (n = 57) of the 66 individuals who participated were women, and all stated that they were 65 and older. Results from the focus-group data identified 13 barriers to exercise behavior. The most significant barriers mentioned by nonexercisers were fear of falling, inertia, and negative affect. Exercisers identified inertia, time constraints, and physical ailments as being the most significant barriers to exercise. Implications from these focus-group data can be useful in the development of exercise interventions for older adults, which could increase exercise participation

Comparação da insatisfação corporal e do comportamento alimentar inadequado em atletas adolescentes de diferentes modalidades esportivas Comparison of body dissatisfaction and inappropriate eating behavior in adolescent athletes of different sports

A insatisfação corporal (IC) é considerada sintoma de primeira ordem no desencadeamento dos transtornos alimentares (TAs). O ambiente atlético tem fatores peculiares que parecem potencializar o risco do surgimento de TAs nos atletas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a IC e o comportamento alimentar inadequado (CAI) entre atletas adolescentes de diversas modalidades esportivas e diferentes níveis competitivos, utilizando o índice de massa corporal (IMC), o percentual de gordura e a idade como covariáveis. A amostra do estudo foi constituída por 580 atletas de diversas modalidades, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 10 e 19 anos. Utilizou-se o BSQ e o EAT-26 para mensurar a IC e o CAI, respectivamente. Peso e estatura foram aferidos para calcular-se o IMC. A gordura relativa foi estimada aferindo-se as dobras cutâneas triciptal e subescapular. Foi conduzida análise univariada de covariância (ANCOVA) para comparar IC e CAI entre níveis competitivos e modalidades esportivas, segundo sexo. Em relação aos resultados, dois aspectos merecem destaque. O primeiro é que identificou-se diferença de IC entre basquetebolistas e handebolistas do sexo masculino (p < 0,05). Já o segundo ponto a ser destacado, é a diferença encontrada de CAI entre voleibolistas e atletas de nado sincronizado do sexo feminino (p < 0,05). Os resultados do presente estudo permitem concluir que o padrão alimentar de esportistas adolescentes, praticantes de modalidades com características distintas, foi semelhante, havendo diferenças em poucas modalidades esportivas.<br>The body dissatisfaction (BD) is considered a symptom of first order in the onset of eating disorders (ED). The athletic environment has unique factors that appear to potentiate the risk for the emergence of ED in athletes. The purpose of this study was to compare the BD and inappropriate eating behavior (IEB) among adolescent athletes of different sports and competitive levels using the body mass index (BMI), fat percentage and age as covariates. The study sample consisted of 580 athletes of both sexes, aged between 10 and 19 years. We used the BSQ and the EAT-26 to measure the BD and IEB, respectively. Weight and height were measured for BMI determination. Relative fat was estimated via triceps and subscapular skinfolds. A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare BD and IEB between the different competitive levels and sports, according to sex. A significant differences in BD was observed between male basketball and handball players (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference was found in IEB between female volleyball players and synchronized swimmers (p < 0.05). The results of this study allow us to conclude that the dietary patterns are similar in adolescent athletes regardless of the sport and competitive level