What factors drive regular exercise behavior?: Exploring the concept and maintenance of habitual exercise

Research has shown consistent findings supporting the benefits of exercise both physically and psychologically. However, the current population continues to remain inactive with high dropout rates of exercise programs indicating that health promotion schemes are not succeeding. Despite this, some individuals continue to maintain patterns of regular activity, and it is this group that may demonstrate unique characteristics that would allow for understanding how and why exercise can become a habit and maintained over time. A qualitative study was conducted to understand the opinions of individuals and their unique experiences with regards to their maintained exercise behavior. A sample of 197 university gym attendees completed a basic screening questionnaire to identify regular exercisers who fulfilled the criteria of exercising 3 times a week for at least 30 min a session for 3 months or longer. Twelve volunteers (7 male, 5 female) participated in one of three focus groups; each focus group was determined by participants' employment status--university students, administration employees, and academic staff. Focus group topics were derived from aspects of self-determination, self-efficacy, and theory of planned behavior. All focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by thematic content analysis through grounded theory enabling the development of a structured and theoretical account of the general features associated with habitual exercise. Results showed that, in all three groups, maintained exercise behavior can be attained if key factors of intrinsic motivation to exercise, value of exercise, commitment to exercise, structure, and planning are present. The overarching themes of self-concept and identity, collectively, with the above factors allow habitual exercise to be achieved. Further research is required to ascertain the extent to which this model fully represents habitual exercise behavior, whether it applies to other population groups, and whether this is useful for interventions to promote continued exercise participation.