A Measurement and Conceptual Investigation of Exercise Imagery Establishing Construct Validity

Abstract

We assessed the factor structure of a revised version of the Exercise Imagery Inventory (ELI; Giacobbi, Hausenblas, & Penfield, 2005), second-order interrelationships for cognitive and motivational forms of mental imagery, and associations with exercise behavior and barriers self-efficacy. A convenience sample of 358 (M age = 20.55 years, SD = 3.88) college students completed the EII-revised (EII-R), a measure of barriers self-efficacy and the Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. The EII-R demonstrated reliability and factorial validity with good model fit statistics. We observed second-order relationships among scale scores and discriminant validity evidence that distinguished cognitive (e.g., exercise technique, exercise routines) and motivational (e.g., appearance/health, exercise self-efficacy, exercise feelings) factors. The second-order imagery factors were significantly and moderately associated with barriers self-efficacy and exercise behavior.

Content and Perceived Utility of Mental Imagery by Older Adults in a Peer-Delivered Physical Activity Intervention

“…Our results shed light on shortcomings with current measures of exercise-focused mental imagery (Giacobbi et al, 2005, 2010; Hausenblas et al, 1999). From a measurement standpoint, the emergent themes described here reinforce previous discussions (e.g., Munroe-Chandler & Gammage, 2005) that some exercise imagery instruments lack important domains of this construct.…”

“…A third imagery-focused meeting was conducted after participants completed and scored an earlier version of the Exercise Imagery Inventory-Revised (Giacobbi et al, 2010). The EII-R consists of five theoretically derived subscales that measure exercise technique, routines (cognitive imagery), fitness and health outcomes, feelings associated with exercise, and images of self-efficacy (motivational imagery).…”

“…Inductively derived emergent themes served as discussion points between the coders and when unique quotes were observed discussion between the coders were conducted until consensus emerged. The deductive portion of the data analysis used previously identified categories of mental imagery observed from psychometric analysis of the EII-R (Giacobbi et al, 2010). These preconceived categories included exercise technique, exercise routines, appearance and health outcomes, exercise self-efficacy, and emotions associated with exercise.…”

“…Theoretical and empirical advances suggest that mental imagery may be used to increase the frequency and intensity of physical activity for individuals across the age span (Duncan, Hall, Wilson, & Rodgers, 2012; Gammage, Hall, & Rodgers, 2000; Giacobbi, Tuccitto, Buman, & Munroe-Chandler, 2010; Hausenblas, Hall, Rodgers, & Munroe-Chandler, 1999). Exercise imagery research has revealed that regular exercisers use mental imagery more often than non-exercisers and imagery content is generally focused on appearance/health and fitness outcomes, exercise technique and routines, and the feelings or energy associated with exercise (Giacobbi, 2007; Giacobbi, Hausenblas, Fallon, & Hall, 2003; Hausenblas et al, 1999; Kim & Giacobbi, 2009).…”

Development and evaluation of the See Me Smoke-Free multi-behavioral mHealth app for women smokers

“…Several studies suggest that guided imagery can be effective in assisting smokers to quit [50,53]. Cross-sectional and intervention studies have documented that adherence to a guided imagery program is correlated with greater motivation to be physically active [47,54,55]. Similarly, a growing body of literature suggests that guided imagery can be effective at improving dietary behaviors [48,56,57].…”