Vested interest increases long-term engagement in exercise: effects on intentions and marathon performance through self-efficacy

Stefano De Dominicis, Maya Pilin, Laura Seidel

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference abstract for conferenceResearchpeer-review

Abstract

To helping address the global pandemics of obesity and chronic diseases further research should be conducted on understanding why people (e.g., regular exercisers) participate in and maintain regular exercise over the long term. Past research has shown that vested interest — the perceived hedonic relevance of an attitude object — can promote behaviour change. Critically though, no research to date has explored the role of vested interest in exercise. Thus, we examined the relationship between attitudes, vested interest and exercise intentions and behaviour by exploring the effect of vested interest on exercise engagement (intentions and marathon performance) through self-efficacy. Two studies (N1 =
145; N2 = 53) show that: a) individuals holding high levels of vested interest would exercise even if their attitude toward exercising is negative; b) the effect of vested interest on exercise intentions occurs both directly and indirectly via self-efficacy; and c) the effect of vested interest on exercise engagement and maintenance (marathon performance) occurs indirectly via self-efficacy. According to our novel findings, vested interest represents an overlooked social-psychological dimension that could play an important role in promoting healthier lifestyles and should be investigated more consistently to better understand the psychological, social and behavioural aspects of sport and exercise. Indeed, interventions could target inactive and active people alike by focusing on increasing perceptions of the vested implications of exercising, hence stakeholders might consider using the findings of this research to design and implement prevention campaigns and behaviour change interventions that could target communities’ cardiorespiratory and metabolic fitness, health and wellbeing.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2022
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event16th European Congress for Sport and Exercise Psychology - FEPSAC 2022, Padua, Italy: Sport, exercise and performance psychology: challenges and opportunities in a changing world - Padua, Italy
Duration: 11 Jul 202216 Jul 2022
https://fepsac2022.eu/

Conference

Conference16th European Congress for Sport and Exercise Psychology - FEPSAC 2022, Padua, Italy
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPadua
Period11/07/202216/07/2022
Internet address

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