Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Feb;8(2):253-61.
doi: 10.1123/jpah.8.2.253.

The relationship between psychosocial correlates and physical activity in underserved adolescent boys and girls in the ACT trial

Hannah G Lawman  1 , Dawn K Wilson, M Lee Van Horn, Ken Resnicow, Heather Kitzman-Ulrich
Affiliations

The relationship between psychosocial correlates and physical activity in underserved adolescent boys and girls in the ACT trial

Hannah G Lawman et al. J Phys Act Health. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Previous research suggests motivation, enjoyment, and self-efficacy may be important psychosocial factors for understanding physical activity (PA) in youth. While previous studies have shown mixed results, emerging evidence indicates relationships between psychosocial factors and PA may be stronger in boys than girls. This study expands on previous research by examining the effects of motivation, enjoyment and self-efficacy on PA in underserved adolescent (low income, ethnic minorities) boys and girls. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesized the effects of motivation, enjoyment and self-efficacy on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) would be stronger in boys than in girls.

Methods: Baseline cross-sectional data were obtained from a randomized, school-based trial (Active by Choice Today; ACT) in underserved 6th graders (N=771 girls, 651 boys). Intrapersonal variables for PA were assessed via self-report and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for each predictor. MVPA was assessed with 7-day accelerometry estimates.

Results: Multivariate regression analyses stratified by sex demonstrated a significant positive main effect of self-efficacy and motivation on MVPA for girls. Boys also showed a positive trend for the effect of motivation on MVPA.

Conclusions: The results from this study suggest motivation and self-efficacy should be better integrated to facilitate the development of more effective interventions for increasing PA in underserved adolescents.

Keywords: African Americans; adolescents; motivation; psychosocial correlates; self-efficacy; sex differences.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Sanchez A, Norman GJ, Sallis JF, Calfas KJ, Cella J, Patrick K. Patterns and Correlates of Physical Activity and Nutrition Behaviors in Adolescents. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2007;32(2):124–130. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Trost SG, Pate RR, Sallis JF, et al. Age and gender differences in objectively measured physical activity in youth. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2002;34(2):350–355. - PubMed
    1. Pate RR, Pratt M. Physical activity and public health. JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association. 1995;273(5):402. - PubMed
    1. Services DoHaH. Physical activity. Chapter 4 from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. 2005. [Accessed 2/28/2008]. http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/.
    1. Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, Masse LC, Tilert T, McDowell M. Physical Activity in the United States Measured by Accelerometer. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2008;40(1):181–188. - PubMed

Publication types