| The successful translation of good intentions into action is challenging, at both a theoretical and practical level, and many behaviors, especially those in the health domain, suffer from an "intention-behavior gap". Aerobic exercise is one such behavior. Several factors are proposed to explain why an intention-behavior gap exists in exercise behavior, including volitional factors (commitment of resources, planning, attention, and affect regulation) and affective factors such as self-conscious emotion and anticipated, experienced, and remembered affective responses to exercise. Results of two studies (a prospective survey study and a randomized experiment in which the affective response to exercise was manipulated) generally supported the hypotheses. Resource commitment (goal prioritization and conflict) and planning were significant predictors of exercise behavior over and above the effects of intentions. Anticipated, experienced, and remembered affect indirectly influenced behavior via intentions and volition. The effects were often stronger for remembered affect, as compared to anticipated and experienced affect. It is concluded that the effects of intentions on behavior are fully mediated by the proposed volitional factors. Exercise interventions designed to improve the translation of intentions into action should focus on encouraging planning (including contingency planning), increasing prioritization of exercise goals, and reducing the perception of conflict between exercise and competing priorities. This may be accomplished by improving affective responses to exercise, specifically by enhancing the degree to which an individual remembers experiencing more positive affect (e.g., energy and enthusiasm) and less negative affect (e.g., discouragement) during exercise.;Keywords. intentions, affective response, exercise, volition, planning. |
