Article

Understanding motivational factors related to physical activity (PA)
maintenance is essential in promoting long-term exercise benefits. This study
explored the impact of self-efficacy (SE) on post-intervention PA maintenance in
patients with hip osteoarthritis. METHOD: An SE-theory based mixed-methods
sub-study of a trial investigating the effects of 4 months supervised exercise in
patients with hip osteoarthritis. Questionnaire data (n = 52; baseline and 12
months) on PA and SE (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, ASES, score-range 10-100)
were analysed (Mann-Whitney test) for differences in characteristics of
maintainers and non-maintainers. Semi-structured individual interviews (n = 15;
at 12-months follow-up) were analysed using directed content analysis. RESULTS:
Compared to non-maintainers (n = 9; 17%) maintainers (n = 31; 60%) had improved
(p < 0.01) in median scores of ASES (Pain: +12 versus -32 points; Function: +7
versus -9 points; Other Symptoms: +11 versus -26 points) from baseline to 12
months. Experiences of possessing required skills, inspiration by other
participants, encouragement from physical therapists and altered interpretations
of PA-induced physiological conditions contributed to increased SE and PA
maintenance. Moreover, experienced symptoms, exercise outcome expectations and
obligation towards the study influenced maintenance. CONCLUSION: SE contributes
to understanding of post-intervention PA maintenance in patients with hip
osteoarthritis. However, disease-related factors and clinical trial participation
appears significant too. Implications for Rehabilitation Patients' perceived
self-efficacy for physical activity contributes to the understanding of
post-intervention physical activity maintenance in patients with hip
osteoarthritis. Practitioners may benefit from incorporating the self-efficacy
theory in the planning and execution of exercise interventions to promote
post-intervention physical activity maintenance and long term health benefits.
Post-intervention physical activity maintenance may be increased by focussing on
the patients' exercise self-efficacy through verbal persuasion and support,
disease-specific information and information on normal physiological responses to
exercise combined with an individualised training progression to support
experiences of success and achievement of desired outcomes.

Langue : ANGLAIS