Development of An Exercise Identity Scale

Abstract

This study examined an instrument measuring the salience of an individual's identification with exercise as an integral part of the concept of self. The 9-item Exercise Identity Scale was given to 51 college students. Test-retest reliability (1 wk.) was. 93 and Cronbach alpha. 94. Assessment of the relationship between exercise identity scores and other variables related to participation in exercise documents evidence for validity. A measure of exercise identity may help identify persons least likely and most likely to maintain an exercise program and so may assist in the development of effective intervention strategies.

Exercise identity as a risk factor for exercise dependence

“…The scale was originally developed to measure the extent to which exercise contributes to an individual's role identity. Although initial evidence supported the unidimensionality of the scale (Anderson & Cychosz, ; Anderson et al ., ), subsequent analyses have shown a better fit for a two‐factor measurement model (Vlachopoulos, Kaperoni, & Moustaka, ; Wilson & Muon, ) comprising the factors ‘exercise beliefs’ and ‘exercise identity role’. The exercise beliefs factor is measured by six items such as ‘I have numerous goals relating to exercising’ and is concerned with a person's reflections on exercise behaviour.…”

“…To test the factorial validity of the measurement model of the exercise identity scale in the present sample we compared the absolute fit of both the one factor model suggested by initial studies (Anderson & Cychosz, ) and the two‐factor model, which has recently superseded the original model (Vlachopoulos et al ., ; Wilson & Muon, ). After performing a multivariate normality test in AMOS 17.0 (Arbuckle, ), models were implemented in MPlus 6.11 software (Muthen & Muthen, ) using maximum likelihood estimation.…”

“…Exercise identity was measured using the ‘Exercise Identity Scale’ (EIS; Anderson & Cychosz, ). The scale was originally developed to measure the extent to which exercise contributes to an individual's role identity.…”

“…Research has also supported the stability and validity of the EIS scores. Anderson and Cychosz () reported a 1 week test‐retest reliability of 0.93 as well as significant correlations with exercise behaviour. Additional research has shown that exercise identity predicts exercise behaviour both in a cross‐sectional (Anderson et al ., ) and prospective design (Cardinal & Cardinal, ).…”

“…According to identity theory, identities involve classifying oneself as being in a particular role and internalizing the meanings associated with this role (Stets & Burke, ). Anderson and Cychosz () have applied this theory to exercise, proposing that exercise identities can represent core aspects of the self‐concept, which play a part in both giving meaning to past behaviour and in guiding future behaviour (Anderson & Cychosz, ). This relation with behaviour is assumed to be bidirectional.…”