Weekly variability in outcome expectations: Examining associations with related physical activity experiences during physical activity initiation

Abstract

Little is known about how outcome expectations change after physical activity initiation and whether changes are associated with physical activity experiences. In a diary study, physically inactive adults (N = 102) initiated an exercise regimen and reported their experiences daily (e.g. progress toward goals) and corresponding outcome expectations weekly (e.g. how much progress they expect this week). Average levels (between-person effects) for eight experiences (ps < .01) and deviations from the average levels (within-person effects) for three experiences (ps < .05) were associated with changes in outcome expectations. The findings demonstrate that outcome expectations for exercise vary over time and are associated with people’s subjective experiences.