The Psychological Process of Exercise Habit

―Research Based on Habit Strength of Exercise, Walk Commuting, Drinking, Smoking, and Pinball Game―

Abstract

The objective of present study was to investigate psychological process of exercise habit from the perspective of habit strength. In study1, undergraduate students and adults answered two kinds of questionnaires assessing habit strength of exercise. The result of exploratory factor analysis showed that habit strength of exercise consisted of four factors following patterned action, negative consequences, automaticity, and cue driven. And patterned action and automaticity were strongly related to current and past involvement in exercise. In study 2, the factor structure of habit strength was compared between exercise and other health related behaviors using same scale. Exercise and walk commuting had similar structure with two factors, whereas smoking and pinball game had a single factor structure. Meanings of two factors were effortless and personality. These findings indicated that the psychological process of exercise habit is featured by decreasing burdens of practice, and increasing personal value for exercise, and we should take into account these features to facilitate habit formation. It also suggest that it could provide a new template for future research on how exercise habits are developed and maintained.