Physical Efficacy Among High School Female: Does Physical Exercise Outcome Expectations Matter?

This study aims to (1) identify whether students’ age, body mass index, outcome expectation for exercise can predict their physical exercise Self-Efficacy, and (2) investigate the differences in physical exercise Self-Efficacy, outcome expectation for exercise between the groups of BMI classes and grade. A descriptive predictive correlational design was used to guide this study. This study was conducted in Ramadi City, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The study included a simple random sample of 450 female high school students. The study instrument includes participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, the Stages of Change Scale for Exercise (Short Form), The Exercise Outcome Expectation Scale. Data were collected using a self-reported instrument. The statistical package for social science, version 27 was used for data analysis. The study results revealed that participants’ age and exercising together positively predict more their Self-Efficacy of engaging in regular physical exercise. On the other hand, participants’ BMI negatively predicts their Self-Efficacy. There are statistically significant differences in Negative Affect, Inconvenient to Exercise, and overall Self-Efficacy among grade groups. There is a statistically significant difference in rewards among BMI groups. The researchers concluded the older the student, the greater the Self-Efficacy of engaging in regular physical exercise.