Background. Whereas self-efficacy expectations have been identified as
important determinants of exercise participation patterns, little emp
irical work that examines efficacy expectations as outcomes of exercis
e participation or their theoretical relationship to other psychologic
al outcomes associated with exercise has been conducted. In the contex
t of middle-aged males and females, the present study attempted to int
egrate social cognitive and impression management perspectives with re
spect to anxiety associated with exercise. Methods. Formerly sedentary
subjects participated in a B-month exercise program with assessments
of physique anxiety, efficacy, outcome expectations, and anthropometri
c variables prior to and following the program. Results. Both acute bo
uts and long-term participation in exercise resulted in significant in
creases in self-efficacy. In turn, these changes in efficacy and initi
al positive outcome expectations were significant predictors of reduct
ions in physique anxiety, even when controlling for the influence of g
ender and reductions in body fat, weight, and circumferences. Conclusi
ons. The findings are discussed in terms of the implications for struc
ture and content of exercise environments and the utility of the propo
sed theoretical integration. Strategies for enhancing beliefs regardin
g health and fitness outcomes associated with exercise rather than app
earance outcomes may be required to maximize reductions in negative bo
dy image. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.