Published in:
01-12-2014 | Original Article
Type 2 diabetes: negative thoughts to physical activity
Published in: Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 3/2014
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Objective
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between negative thoughts and self-reported physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), after controlling for social support. Physical activity is key to prevention and management of T2DM and its related morbidities. Numerous barriers have been studied in association with failure to adoption or maintenance of physical activity in T2DM (e.g. poor self-efficacy, low motivation). In other chronic diseases, the negative thoughts have shown to modulate the physical activity levels. Negative thoughts hinder the decision to carry out planned physical activity (negative outcome expectations, cons, barriers).
Method
A sample of 308 (172M, 136F, mean age 65.24 ± 8.31 years) people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes duration 9.47 ± 8.21 years) participated in this study. We measured thoughts for avoiding exercise and social support using the Exercise Thoughts Questionnaire and the social scale of Ageing-Well Profile.
Results
The results showed an inverse relationship between negative thoughts and self-reported physical activity. Negative thoughts increased significantly with decreasing levels of physical activity.
Conclusion
Data suggest that negative thoughts may not only hinder those engaged in regular physical activity and should plan it day-to-day, but also those inactive people who should engage regularly in the physical activity as diabetes therapy.