Social cognitive and physical health determinants of exercise adherence for HIV-1 seropositive, early symptomatic men and women

This study examined social cognitive and physical health factors that might explain variations in exercise adherence in a 3-month supervised exercise intervention for a group of mildly symptomatic, HIV-1 seropositive men and women. The social cognitive predictor variables were outcome expectations a nd self-efficacy. The physical health predictor variables included CD4+ cel l counts, self-report inventories of physical symptoms, and physicians' exa minations. Self-report inventories of physical symptoms were associated wit h physicians' examinations and combined into a composite measure of physica l health. Criterion variables included exercise adherence rates, VO2max cha nge, and status as a "remainer" versus "drop-out." The composite measure of physical health emerged as a significant predictor of adherence rate and g ave perfect prediction of remainers and a moderate prediction of dropouts. No significant associations were observed between the social cognitive pred ictors and adherence. Results suggest that for this population physical hea lth status is abetter predictor of exercise adherence than either perceived self-efficacy or outcome expectancy.