Despite the many important benefits of leisure-time physical exercise
on health, many Americans do not engage in exercise. This is more the
case for the African-American population. This study assesses the impa
ct of efficacy cognitions on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in
an African-American sample. Our findings show that LTPA is predicted b
y the sense of efficacy in this African-American sample. Further analy
ses address significant factors in the prediction of the sense of effi
cacy. We find that the general sense of mastery predicts efficacy in t
his African-American sample. This may be especially significant for th
e African-American population. Also, analysis reveals surprising findi
ngs concerning characteristics predictive of efficacy cognitions. The
highly educated are least likely to believe in the efficacy of prevent
ive health behavior.