The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a self-regulatory strength depletion manipulation on performance of a physical endurance (isometric handgrip) task. In addition, the effect of depletion on EMG activity in the working forearm muscles during the endurance task was explored. Sedentary undergraduates (N=49) were randomly assigned to either a cognitive depletion condition (modified Stroop task) or a control (color word) group and completed two maximal isometric exercise endurance trials separated by the cognitive task. Participants in the depletion group showed significant (p<.05) degradations in performance and exhibited higher EMG activation on the second endurance trial (p<.05) compared to controls. Results are consistent with the limited strength model of self-regulation and are interpreted in light of the central fatigue hypothesis.

Despite the numerous physical and psychosocial benefits of exercise for coronary heart disease survivors, non-adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise is a major problem. Adherence to the lifestyle behavior change associated with CR involves both physical and self-regulatory skills. While self-regulatory efficacy is clearly linked to exercise adherence and adjustment, the literature on the relationship between self-efficacy and exercise among CR participants has not been systematically reviewed. A search of relevant databases identified 41 CR studies. Few studies measured self-regulatory efficacy for actions that facilitate adherence. Most studies examined self-efficacy during the intensive center-based phase of CR, with little attention to long-term maintenance. The CR literature could benefit by examining (a) self-efficacy as a major rehabilitation outcome, (b) measurement of self-regulatory efficacy for behavior change, (c) suspected moderators of self-efficacy (i.e. gender, age), and (d) self-efficacy relative to maintenance.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether self-efficacy functions as a determinant and outcome of maintenance cardiac rehabilitation exercise adherence. Specifically, the purpose of this prospective observational study was to examine which types of selfefficacy-task or self-regulatory-predicted maintenance exercise attendance. In addition, the relative contribution of self-efficacy to the prediction of perceived exercise intensity was examined. Self-regulatory self-efficacy was operationalized as confidence to schedule and manage exercise sessions. while task self-efficacy concerned confidence to perform aspects of the exercise session and to walk for increasing durations. Sixty-four maintenance cardiac rehabilitation participants completed social cognitive measures and provided attendance data for 4 weeks prior to and 4 weeks following assessment. Results indicated that scheduling and walking self-efficacy significantly predicted cardiac rehabilitation exercise attendance. Task self-efficacy was the best predictor of perceived exercise intensity. Past exercise attendance significantly predicted all 3 dimensions of selfefficacy. Findings are discussed with respect to self-efficacy theory and applications to the maintenance of cardiac rehabilitation exercise adherence.

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Objective: To examine whether a message designed to target sources of self-efficacy information could increase self-regulatory efficacy for independent exercise among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants. Study Design: Randomized controlled field experiment. Method: Fifty-four participants completed premanipulation measures of self-regulatory efficacy and exercise intentions, then were randomly assigned to read either an efficacy-enhancing or control message. Participants completed postmanipulation measures of self-regulatory efficacy, intentions, agreement with action plans, and behavioral commitment. Results: A 2 ϫ 2 repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant Message ϫ Time interaction (p Ͻ .01). Post hoc tests indicated that efficacy-enhancing message participants reported stronger self-regulatory efficacy (p Ͻ .01) and intended to exercise more frequently (p Ͻ .05) than controls did. Furthermore, participants in the efficacy-enhancing condition exhibited significantly greater action plan agreement and stronger behavioral commitment compared to controls. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a manipulation targeting sources of self-regulatory efficacy can increase CR participants' efficacy for independent exercise, intentions, action plan agreement, and behavioral commitment. A persuasive message may be one step toward influencing CR participants to try to learn about exercising independently, in addition to their CR program participation.