Plans and Predictions for Exercise Frequency Change

Abstract

The nature of people's plans for exercise frequency change, and the basis of their optimistic predictions for such change, was examined in 2 studies. Study 1 participants' conceptions of changing their exercise frequency over the subsequent month ("realistic scenarios") were compared to their "best case" and "worst case" scenarios. Realistic scenarios more resembled best case scenarios than worst case scenarios. In Study 2, generation of a plausible best case scenario led to predictions of higher exercise frequency, but generation of an equally plausible worst case scenario had no discernible effect. Study 2 participants overestimated the negative impact of not meeting their exercise frequency predictions on their self-satisfaction. There was no such bias for those participants who met or exceeded their predictions.