An Exploratory Investigation of the Relationship between Proxy Efficacy, Self-efficacy and Exercise Attendance

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceptions of self-efficacy, proxy efficacy, and exercise class attendance of participants involved in a 10-week structured group fitness program. At week 3, 127 females completed measures of self-efficacy and proxy efficacy and their class attendance was monitored for the subsequent four weeks. Self-efficacy was assessed through measures of exercise, scheduling, and barrier self-efficacy. Proxy efficacy was assessed through a measure of fitness instructor efficacy defined as participants' confidence in their fitness instructors' communication, teaching, and motivating capabilities. Results revealed positive correlations between self-efficacy variables and proxy efficacy. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that among those who were classified as exercise initiates (n = 33), self-efficacy and proxy efficacy accounted for 34 percent of the variance in exercise class attendance with the latter variable explaining a unique 12 percent. Consistent with theorizing, these preliminary findings indicate that for instructor-led, group physical activities such as aerobics classes, proxy efficacy perceptions are related to self-efficacy and may also be an important predictor of exercise behavior.

Determinants of clients’ efficacy in their interventionists and effects on self-perceptions for exercise in cardiac rehabilitation.

“…According to Bandura (1997Bandura ( , 2001 and Lent and Lopez (2002), a strong sense of proxy efficacy should have a positive effect on self-efficacy. Our results are consistent with these ideas and add experimental evidence that supports previous correlational research showing positive correlations between proxy efficacy and self-efficacy in CR (Bray et al, 2006;Bray & Cowan, 2004) as well as asymptomatic exercisers (Bray et al, 2001).…”

“…In an investigation of proxy efficacy in CR, Bray and Cowan (2004) used an adapted version of Bray et al's (2001) proxy efficacy measure and found cardiac patients who had stronger proxy efficacy in their interventionists' abilities reported stronger self-efficacy as well as intentions to continue exercising on their own after completing their CR program. In a more recent study.…”

Estudo do feedback pedagógico em instrutores de ginástica localizada com diferentes níveis de experiência profissional

“…As qualidades do professor e o seu tipo de liderança são uns dos factores mais importantes que os praticantes identificam nos programas de exercício/desporto que mais gostam (Blanco, Sicilia, Gil, Roca, & Sánchez, 2003). Assim sendo, os instrutores/treinadores devem ter um comportamento que vá ao encontro do que os praticantes pretendem, para que seja mantida a adesão à prática de exercício evitando o abandono, nomeadamente que sejam dinâmicos (Cloes, Laraki, Zatta, & Piéron, 2001;Franco, Cordeiro, & Cabeceiras, 2004) divertidos (Hernández & Murguía, 2003;Silva & Silva, 2003), motivadores (Bray, Gyurcsik, Culos-Reed, Dawson, & Martin, 2001;Cloes, Laraki, Zatta, & Piéron, 2001;Franco, Cordeiro, & Cabeceiras, 2004;Price & Weiss, 2000) e que tenham cuidados ao nível da instrução (Alfermann & Würth, 2004;Price & Weiss, 2000;Wininger, 2002). Cloes, Laraki, Zatta e Piéron (2001), foram identificar as variáveis associadas à percepção de qualidade dos instrutores de aeróbica.…”

Transferring Control to Others

“…Proxy control has not been broadly applied to elder/kin relationships, but has been used in varied studies of consumer behavior, rehabilitation following sports injury, and charismatic political leaders (Dawson & Laurier, 2005; Madsen & Snow, 1991; Namasivayam, 2004), among other topics. Some interpretations of the traits of proxies suggest they need to hold recognized social power or expert knowledge, while others expect only that the proxy have sufficient skill, knowledge or energy to achieve the task delegated to them (Bray et al, 2001, Smith et al, 2000; Yamaguchi, 2001). …”