Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Education and Community Health 2820-896X 10 3 2023 09 30 Effects of Social Support and Self-regulation on Changes in Exercise Behavior Among Infertile Women: A Cross-sectional Study for Comparison of External and Internal Factors 145 151 10.34172/jech.2291 EN Arezoo Fallahi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6375-4614 Azam Rahmani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8528-2374 Pakestan Hamad Amin Yousif Reza Ghanei Gheshlagh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-8134 Leila Allahqoli https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9851-6771 Babak Nemat https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1368-6799 Ibrahim Alkatout https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7194-6034 Journal Article 10.34172/jech.2291 2023 02 23 2023 09 12 Background: Exercise behavior (EB) has a significant impact on infertility, but the magnitude of the effect is not easily determined. This study aimed to assess the effect of social support and self-regulation, as external and internal factors, on changes in EB among infertile women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 483 infertile women in Sanandaj (Iran) in 2020. Samples were recruited from 35 comprehensive healthcare centers by convenience sampling. Standardized face-to-face interviews were conducted using valid and reliable instruments for the assessment of EB, social support, and self-regulation. The association between EB, social support, and self-regulation was evaluated by logistic regression models. Results: The majority of the participants (56.7%) had secondary infertility, while 70.8% of them did not perform any exercise. Self-regulation and social support were significantly higher in women with secondary infertility than in those with primary infertility (P<0.01). Self-regulation was significantly lower in women whose height was below 160 centimeters (P<0.05). Social support was significantly higher among participants aged≥35 years and weighing≥60 kg (P<0.01). The odds of EB adoption increased with self-regulation and social support (odds ratio [OR]=1.05, 95% CI=1.02-1.09, P<0.01; OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.02-1.11, P<0.01). Conclusion: Social support and self-regulation almost equally influenced EB in infertile women. In future research, designing support and consultation programs can be considered to encourage infertile women to exercise.