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Aim To investigate the determinants of exercise capacity in postcardiac rehabilitation patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Design A cross‐sectional design was used. Methods This study analysed the cross‐sectional data from the baseline assessment of 130 CHD patients who participated in a longitudinal randomized controlled trial of music‐paced physical activity intervention for CHD patients (ChiCTR‐IOR‐17011015) (September 2017 to February 2019). Exercise capacity was measured by using the 10‐metre incremental shuttle‐walk test. The amount of physical activity, exercise self‐determination and exercise self‐efficacy were measured by validated instruments. Participants' anthropometric parameters (body mass index, body fat mass percentage and waist circumference) were measured. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to identify the factors influencing exercise capacity. Results The mean incremental shuttle‐walk test distance was 493.00 ± 180.04 m. The factors significantly associated with exercise capacity were age (β = −.42), female (β = −.35), body mass index (β = −.25) and exercise self‐efficacy (β = −.20). These factors accounted for 56.5% of the total variance of exercise capacity.

The family plays an immensely crucial role in the development of adolescents, significantly influencing their behavioral patterns. To explore the impact mechanism of the family physical activity environment on adolescents’ exercise adherence, and analyze the chain-mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and exercise satisfaction. A questionnaire was administered to 500 adolescents and their parents using the Family Physical Activity Environment Scale, Exercise Adherence Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale and Satisfaction Scale. The direct impact value of the family physical activity environment on adolescents’ exercise adherence is 0.148, with an effect size of 32.81%. The impact values of exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction between the family physical activity environment and adolescents’ exercise adherence are 0.113 and 0.092 respectively, with effect sizes of 25.05% and 20.39%. The chain-mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction is significant, with an effect value of 0.097 and an effect size of 21.50%. Family physical activity environment can directly and positively predict adolescents’ exercise adherence, positively predict adolescents’ exercise adherence through the independent mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction, and also positively predict adolescents’ exercise adherence through the chain mediating role of exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction. This provides a theoretical reference for enhancing adolescents’ exercise adherence and improving their levels of physical health.

Background: The aim of the present work is the elaboration of a systematic review of existing research on physical fitness, self-efficacy for physical exercise, and quality of life in adulthood. Method: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines, and based on the findings in 493 articles, the final sample was composed of 37 articles, which were reviewed to show whether self-efficacy has previously been studied as a mediator in the relationship between physical fitness and quality of life in adulthood. Results: The results indicate that little research exists in relation to healthy, populations with the majority being people with pathology. Physical fitness should be considered as a fundamental aspect in determining the functional capacity of the person. Aerobic capacity was the most evaluated and the 6-min walk test was the most used. Only one article shows the joint relationship between the three variables. Conclusions: We discuss the need to investigate the mediation of self-efficacy in relation to the value of physical activity on quality of life and well-being in the healthy adult population in adult life.

This study examined the relationships among exercise motivation, exercise self-efficacy, and physical activity rating, as well as the role of exercise self-efficacy in the above relationship. A survey was conducted among 362 college students (aged 19.0 ± 0.8 years, 185 males and 177 females) from a Chinese college using exercise motivation, self-efficacy, and physical activity assessment scales. The results revealed significant sex differences in exercise motivation, self-efficacy, and physical activity scores. Structural equation analysis revealed that ability motivation had a direct effect, accounting for 41.5% of the total effect, while the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy accounted for 58.5%. Exercise self-efficacy has been proven to be a key predictor of physical activity in both general analysis and gender stratification analysis. From the results of path analysis, in the overall sample and the male group, the influence intensity of each variable on physical activity is the direct effect of exercise self-efficacy, the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and the direct effect of ability motivation. However, different influence patterns were observed in female groups: the direct effect of exercise self-efficacy still ranked first, followed by the direct effect of ability motivation, and finally, the mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy. This finding suggests that gender may be an important variable regulating the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and physical activity. Based on the above findings, this study emphasizes that gender-specific strategies should be adopted when formulating intervention programs for physical activity promotion: for male groups, it should focus on strengthening the cultivation of exercise self-efficacy, while for female groups, it should also focus on the improvement of ability motivation and the establishment of self-efficacy. This study provides an important empirical basis for improving the theory of health behavior promotion.

BackgroundExercise fear and low exercise self-efficacy are common in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This study tested whether exercise prescription methods influence exercise fear and exercise self-efficacy. We hypothesized that the use of graded exercise testing (GXT) with a target heart rate range exercise prescription, relative to standard exercise prescription using rating of perceived exertion (RPE), would produce greater reductions in exercise fear and increase self-efficacy during CR.MethodPatients in CR (N = 32) were randomized to an exercise prescription using either RPE or a target heart rate range. Exercise fear and self-efficacy were assessed with questionnaires at three time points: baseline; after the GXT in target heart rate range group; and at session 6 for the RPE group and CR completion. Items were scored on a five-point Likert-type scale with higher mean scores reflecting higher fear of exercise and higher self-efficacy. To analyze mean differences, a mixed effects analysis was run.ResultsThere were no significant changes in exercise self-efficacy between baseline and discharge from CR; these were not statistically significant (mean differences baseline − 0.63; end − 0.27 (p = 0.13)). Similarly, there was no change in fear between groups (baseline 0.30; end 0.51 (p = 0.37)).ConclusionPatients in the RPE and target heart rate groups had non-significant changes in exercise self-efficacy over the course of CR. Contrary to our hypothesis, the use of GXT and target heart rate range did not reduce fear, and we noted sustained or increases in fear of exercise among patients with elevated baseline fear. A more targeted psychological intervention seems warranted to reduce exercise fear and self-efficacy in CR.

This study was intended to determine the applicability of an augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program for elderly Korean women by observing changes in exercise self-efficacy and verifying the effectiveness of the program in the elderly after the application of the program. A total of 27 participants, who were elderly women aged 65+ and had not participated in any exercise programs until this study, were recruited for this study. They were divided into an experimental group (13 people) and a control group (14 people), and then the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program was applied. This was a 30-min program, which included regular, aerobic, and flexibility exercises, and it was applied 5 times a week for 12 weeks. As a result of observing changes, it was found that the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) (F = 11.222, p < 0.002) and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) (kg/m2) (F = 10.874, p < 0.003) muscle parameters increased more in the experimental group compared to the control group, and there was a significant increase in gait speed (m/s) (F = 7.221, p < 0.005). For physical performance, as a result of conducting the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), a significant change was observed in the chair stand test (F = 5.110, p < 0.033), 2-min step test (2MST) (F = 6.621, p < 0.020), and the timed up-and-go test (TUG) (F = 5.110, p < 0.032) and a significant increase was also observed for exercise self-efficacy (F = 20.464, p < 0.001). Finally, the augmented-reality-based exercise program in this study was found to be effective in inducing physical activity in the elderly. Therefore, the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program is considered to be effective in increasing the sustainability of exercise, thus preventing muscle reduction in the elderly.

To investigate the relationship between perceived social support and exercise engagement in adolescents, and the mediating roles of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 557 adolescents using Perceived Social Support Scale, Exercise Engagement Scale, Exercise Self-efficacy Scale and Exercise Achievement Goal Orientation Scale. Results: The direct effect of perceived social support on adolescents’ exercise engagement was 0.143 (95% CI [0.059,0.228]). The mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived social support and adolescents’ exercise engagement was 0.084 (95% CI [0.032, 0.135]). The mediating effect of exercise achievement goal orientation in the relationship between perceived social support and adolescents’ exercise engagement was 0.121 (95% CI [0.076, 0.174]). The chain mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation was significant, with an effect size of 0.053 (95% CI [0.032,0.081]). Conclusion: Perceived social support demonstrated a significant positive direct effect on adolescents’ exercise engagement. Mediation analyses further indicated that this effect operated both directly and indirectly through the independent and serial mediation of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical activity and exercise self-efficacy among college students and to examine the mediating effects of loneliness and body image. Through an analysis of parallel mediating effects, the intrinsic mechanisms underlying these variables are revealed and provide theoretical support for promoting healthy behaviours among college students. The study, conducted in April 2025, employed a cross-sectional design to survey college students across northeast, North, central, East, and South China. A total of 1102 valid questionnaires were collected. The level of physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3). Exercise self-efficacy was measured using the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. Body image was assessed using the Physical Self-Esteem Scale (PSPP), and loneliness was calculated using the UCLA Loneliness Inventory (3rd edition). The data were analysed using SPSS 27 software for descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and mediation effect analyses. A significant direct positive correlation was found between physical activity and exercise self-efficacy (β = 0.2313, p  < 0.001). Furthermore, loneliness and body image played important mediating roles in the relationship between physical activity and exercise self-efficacy. Specifically, physical activity indirectly improved exercise self-efficacy by reducing loneliness (β=-0.124, p  < 0.001) and enhancing body image (β = 0.383, p  < 0.001). The mediating effect accounted for 32.1% of the total impact, and the mediating effect of body image (28.5%) was significantly more potent than that of loneliness (3.5%). This study reveals the mechanism by which physical activity indirectly increases college students’ sense of exercise self-efficacy by reducing loneliness and improving body image. This finding shows the importance of focusing on individual psychological states when promoting physical activity. Interventions should promote both positive body image and a favourable social environment to improve college students’ exercise self-efficacy and overall psychological well-being.

Background and aims Maternal health is intricately linked with health literacy, which significantly influences pregnant women’s ability to access, comprehend, and utilize health-related information. Despite its critical role, a substantial proportion of pregnant women exhibit low health literacy, precipitating considerable challenges in health management and potentially compromising pregnancy outcomes. So, this study seeks to elucidate the relationship between health literacy and exercise self-efficacy among pregnant women, to inform evidence-based interventions aimed at enhancing maternal health outcomes. Methods This analytical, cross-sectional research was conducted on 301 pregnant women referred to healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran, in 2023. A multistage cluster sampling method was used. Data were collected using a socio-demographic checklist and standardized questionnaires for health literacy and exercise self-efficacy in pregnant women, which the study participants completed. Data analysis was performed using independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis, one-way ANOVA, Spearman correlation, and univariate and multiple linear regression analysis in SPSS version 23. Results The mean and standard deviation of health literacy and exercise self-efficacy were 60.61 ± 17.81(0-100) and 56.09 ± 17.02(0-100), respectively. health literacy had a positive and significant relationship with exercise self-efficacy( r  = 0.33, P  < 0.05). Among the participants, 20.9% had good health literacy, 57.5% had moderate health literacy, and 21.6% had poor health literacy. Additionally, 16.6% of participants reported good exercise self-efficacy, 50.8% reported moderate exercise self-efficacy, and 32.6% reported poor exercise self-efficacy. Conclusion There is a significant positive relationship between health literacy and exercise self-efficacy among pregnant women. Therefore, enhancing mothers’ health literacy can be an important step in promoting physical activity and healthy behaviors during pregnancy.

To explore relationships among low back pain knowledge, fall fear, exercise self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in pregnant women with pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) through a chain mediating model. This study used a cross-sectional survey and utilized convenience sampling from August to December 2023 at a third-class hospital in Wuxi, China. A total of 325 PLBP pregnant women were chosen as the subjects of this study. Sociodemographics and information about low back pain knowledge, low back pain knowledge, fall fear, exercise self-efficacy, and kinesiophobia were collected. Path analysis was used to analyze the cross-sectional data. The results of this study found that low back pain knowledge can directly affect kinesiophobia (β = −0.489, p  < 0.001). Fall fear and exercise self-efficacy play a significant mediating role between low back pain knowledge and kinesiophobia, with an overall mediating effect value of 0.202. After including fall fear and exercise self-efficacy, the direct effect value of low back pain knowledge on kinesiophobia was − 0.287. Low back pain knowledge in PLBP pregnant women can significantly and negatively predict their kinesiophobia. Between low back pain knowledge and kinesiophobia, there was not only an independent mediating effect of fall fear and exercise self-efficacy but also a chain mediating effect.