Use of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Strategies in Health Self-Regulation

PURPOSE: This study investigated the interplay of exercise strategy use (i.e., strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation) and perceived loss of exercise resources in individuals prescribed to engage in physical exercise. METHOD: Specifically, 368 individuals (18 to 80 years) were assessed during orthopedic rehabilitation and 6 and 12 months thereafter. Exercise, orthopedic outcome, and subjective well-being served as indicators of successful development. RESULTS: There was no evidence for an interaction of age and strategy use. There was also no support for an interaction between resource loss and strategy use but rather for a mediating role of strategy use between resource loss and exercise. The effect of strategy use on orthopedic outcome and subjective well-being was mediated by exercise. DISCUSSION: Strategy use seems to be beneficial for exercise regardless of age. In addition, strategy use seems to enhance resources and is not only associated with exercise but also with orthopedic outcome and subjective well-being.