Regular exercise participation and volitional competencies.

This study investigated the relationship between exercise participation and volition. In particular, we tested whether volitional competencies predict gym attendance (predisposition model) or change in response to attendance (socialization model). A prospective longitudinal study was employed. Individuals (N = 196) who had just signed up as a new gym member completed a pretest measurement of various self-regulation and self-control competencies and a follow-up 15 weeks later. Participants’ gym attendance was registered electronically using a magnetic card. The analysis revealed that volitional competencies at the pretest were unrelated to gym attendance, but the gym attendance predicted positive changes in the self-control competence measured at the follow-up. Participants who more frequently attended the gym showed greater improvement in self-control. These findings support the socialization model rather than the predisposition model, indicating that exercise participation is less dependent on concrete volitional skills, but it may strengthen volitional competencies as a consequence.