This study investigates the relationships between levels of physical
activity and cardiac misconceptions, which has been demonstrated among
cardiac patients, among healthy young people, as well as the impact of
Type D personality and levels of self-efficacy. Three hundred and fifty
individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 completed the York Cardiac
Beliefs Questionnaire, Vigorous Exercise Questionnaire, Type D
Personality Questionnaire, Physical Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, and
family history of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). The results are
presented in the context of a predictive model of levels of exercise.
The contribution of cardiac misconceptions and self-efficacy, which are
amenable to cognitive intervention, in conjunction with Type D
personality scores, to levels of exercise, a lifestyle risk factor,
supports the notion that preventative programs could ameliorate, for
young premorbid community populations, later in life onset of CHD.