The Relationship of Explicit–Implicit Evaluative Discrepancy to Exercise Dropout in Middle-Aged Adults

Abstract

Discrepancies between automatically activated associations (i.e., implicit evaluations) and explicit evaluations of motives (measured with a questionnaire) could lead to greater information processing to resolve discrepancies or self-regulatory failures that may affect behavior. This research examined the relationship of health and appearance exercise-related explicit-implicit evaluative discrepancies, the interaction between implicit and explicit evaluations, and the combined value of explicit and implicit evaluations (i.e., the summed scores) to dropout from a yearlong exercise program. Participants (N = 253) completed implicit health and appearance measures and explicit health and appearance motives at baseline, prior to starting the exercise program. The sum of implicit and explicit appearance measures was positively related to weeks in the program, and discrepancy between the implicit and explicit health measures was negatively related to length of time in the program. Implicit exercise evaluations and their relationships to oft-cited motives such as appearance and health may inform exercise dropout.

Does the discrepancy between implicit and explicit attitudes moderate the relationships between explicit attitude and (intention to) being physically active?

“…Also in the context of physical activity, it has been shown that IED exists and that it impacts behavior [33, 34]. For example, the lower IED was in a sample of fitness club exercisers, the more successful they were in achieving their ideal exercise frequency [33].…”

“…For example, the lower IED was in a sample of fitness club exercisers, the more successful they were in achieving their ideal exercise frequency [33]. In another study, discrepancy between explicit and implicit health measures regarding PA was negatively associated with the length to participate in a one year long exercise program [34]. These findings demonstrate that there is a direct link between IED and PA behavior.…”

Testing Attitudes, Social Desirability and Behavioral Regulations as Moderators of Implicit-Explicit Exercise Cognition Discrepancies in Iranian Students

“…Other studies have shown a negative effect of (IED) on exercise behavior (7,10). In Berry and colleagues' study, greater (IED) was negatively related to the duration of exercise in one year (16).…”

“…For example, if one has somewhat undesirable automatic evaluations of Physical Activity (PA), but positive explicit evaluations, the evaluations might differentially in uence decisions to approach or avoid that occasion to be physically active (10). In one example of bodybuilding workouts, the ideal frequency of training increased with less (IED) (16). However, Chevance and colleagues concluded there is little empirical evidence yet regarding a real discrepancy amongst the implicit processes that regulate exercise (11).…”

Untitled

“…However, despite the growing popularity of HCFC worldwide, and in Brazil in particular, these spaces have not received a great deal of attention from researchers investigating adherence, retention and dropout rates in PA programs, with most efforts in this field being concentrated on supervised interventions, randomized controlled trials, and established group exercise programs outside HCFC settings (Berry et al 2018, Kuehl et al 2016, Lorenz et al 2015. Alternatively, some research has looked at these rates within HCFC settings but from a marketing perspective, establishing satisfaction levels and intention to repurchase as some of the main variables to understand PA adherence as consumer behavior (Cañamero et al 2019, Gonçalves et al 2016, Hurley 2004.…”