Elicitation studies and the theory of planned behavior: a systematic review of exercise beliefs

Results and conclusions: We found that: (a) the most salient behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were that exercise improves physical/psychological health, family members have the strongest normative influence on exercise, and physical limitations obstruct exercise, respectively; (b) the effect size for behavioral beliefs-attitude, normative beliefs-subjective norm, and control beliefs-perceived behavioral control were large; (c) the beliefs explained between 34% and 56% of the variance in attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control; and (d) insufficient information was reported for the elicitation studies' methods. The study findings illustrate the importance of conducting elicitation studies as a mechanism for understanding exercise behavior. Future researchers are encouraged to conduct elicitation studies, and to report more detailed information regarding their methods to aid in replication and interpretation.