Health locus of control and leisure-time exercise

This paper reports a study examining the relationship between health locus of control and exercise behaviour in a representative sample of over 13 000 adults in Wales. It was predicted that recent leisure-time exercise behaviour would be positively correlated with internal health locus of control beliefs and negatively correlated with powerful others and chance health locus of control beliefs. Moreover, as Wallston (1992) argues, the relationships between health locus of control beliefs and exercise behaviour should be stronger among individuals placing a high value on their health. The results indicated weak but significant correlations between the health locus of control dimensions and exercise behaviour in line with predictions. However, a hierarchical regression analysis revealed no evidence in support of the moderating role of health value. In addition, the amount of variance explained in exercise behaviour was small. The results are discussed in relation to the need to consider other potential reinforcements and other expectancy beliefs when predicting exercise behaviour.