ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the theories and models of exercise behavior and then demonstrates how the models can help inform practice to enhance the initiation and maintenance of exercise. It investigates some of the major theories and models that have been developed to help explain and predict exercise behavior. The health belief model is widely recognized enduring theoretical models associated with preventive health behaviors. The theory of planned behavior is an extension of the theory of reasoned action. The theory of reasoned action states that intentions are the best predictors of actual behavior. Since social cognitive theory argues for reciprocal determinism, but exercise would influence feelings of self-efficacy. Although not a new theory, self-determination theory is a relative newcomer to the exercise psychology literature. Regarding physical activity, intervention research testing the tenets of transtheoretical model by focusing on matching stages of change to specific individual needs is extensive in demonstrating the linkage between stages of change and physical activity levels.
