Ines Pfeffer
University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Citation
Pfeffer, I. (2012). Announcing preventive exercise programs: Do men and women react differently?. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 43(3), 177-198. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2012.43.177
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Women are more likely to engage in preventive exercise programs than men and this can be explained by sex and gender role self-concept specific motives for sport participation. Two announcements for a preventive resistance training program, targeted behavioral beliefs that are consistent with sex specific motives. These included behavioral beliefs like well-being and weight-control (condition A) and and competence and skill improvement (condition B) which were examined regarding their effects on motivation. It is expected that sex and gender role self-concept will moderate the effect of these behavioral beliefs on attitude and intention to participate. METHOD: Participants (N=312; 158 females; mean age 43.7 years, SD=16.89) were randomly assigned to condition A or condition B. Gender role self-concept was measured using the PAQ in its German translation and motivation was measured within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. RESULTS: The results imply that gender role self-concept (not sex) moderates the effect of the behavioral beliefs on attitude. No interaction effect was found for intention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with results demonstrating that gender role self-concept is a good predictor of general sex differences in health-related motivation and behavior. Future studies should investigate how sex and gender role self-concept may affect perceivers reactions to exercise announcements.
Keywords: Gender Role self-concept, Motivation health behavior, Physical Activity, Sex