Using theory of planned behavior to understand exercise motivation in patients with congenital heart disease

The purpose of this study was to use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as framework to (a) compare congenital heart disease (CHD) patients' beliefs towards physical activity with non-patient support members and (b) determine whether it might explain CHD patients' physical activity intentions and behavior. Sixty-four (30 males and 34 females) CHD patients and 48 (16 males and 32 females) non-patient support members completed measures corresponding to the TPB. No significant group differences were found on attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intentions or exercise behavior. Results suggest that CHD patients' beliefs towards physical activity are not a limiting factor in engagement in more exercise. Analysis of the CHD patients' data revealed subjective norm and PBC, but not attitude contributed to the prediction of exercise intention, accounting for 69% of the variance. PBC, but not intention predicted exercise behavior, explaining 11% of the variance. Implication of these findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.