Promoting self-efficacy and outcome expectations to enable adherence to resistance training after cardiac rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Resistance training offers clinical and functional benefits to cardiac patients, yet exercise adherence after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is problematic. This study examined effects of an intervention targeting self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and adherence to upper-body resistance exercise after CR.


PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
Cardiac patients (N = 40) were randomly allocated to receive either standard exercise recommendations (wait-list control) or an intervention involving a theory-based instructional manual and Thera-Band resistive bands for upper-body resistance exercise. Self-efficacy and outcome expectations were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks later. Participation in resistance exercise was measured at 4 weeks postbaseline and at 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The intervention group reported higher levels of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and resistance exercise volume compared with the control group at the 4-week follow-up. Adherence differences were sustained at 3-month follow-up, with some support that self-efficacy for adhering to resistance training mediated the effects of the intervention on follow-up exercise training frequency. Findings support the use of a theory-based motivational manual and Thera-Band resistive bands to increase self-efficacy and outcome expectations for, and adherence to, resistance training after CR.