A Systematic Review of the Relationships Between Attitude, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Exercise Intention

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) identifies Attitude (AT), Subjective Norms (SN), and Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) as key determinants of Exercise Intention (EI). While these constructs have been widely examined, limited systematic reviews have addressed both their measurement tools and predictive relationships with EI.

This review followed PRISMA guidelines, conducting a systematic search across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for English-language empirical studies published between 2013 and 2023 that employed TPB constructs. Eligible studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool.

A total of 34 articles were included: 23 focused on the psychometric properties of instruments measuring AT, SN, PBC, and EI, and 11 examined the predictive relationships among these constructs. Findings showed that PBC and AT consistently emerged as strong predictors of EI, while SN exhibited more variable significance across contexts.

The results highlight the central role of PBC and AT in shaping EI across populations, while the inconsistent impact of SN suggests contextual and cultural variations. The review also highlights methodological limitations, notably the overreliance on cross-sectional designs and inconsistencies in instrument standardization. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches and consider distinguishing between descriptive and injunctive norms to enhance the predictive validity of findings.

This review advances theoretical understanding of TPB in exercise behavior and recommends standardized tools and longitudinal designs to improve research comparability. The findings offer practical insights for developing culturally sensitive and psychologically grounded interventions to promote physical activity.