Association between Physical Activity Self-efficacy and Physical Activity Engagement in Chinese College Students

Abstract

Physical activity self-efficacy has been considered as an important correlate of physical activity behaviors. However, evidence on association between physical activity-related self-efficacy with different domains and physical activity engagement is still limited. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between physical activity self-efficacy for learning efficiency, physical fitness, psychological functioning, and overall health status and physical activity engagement in college students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 1,836 college students (1,138 males, 698 females) in China. Physical activity engagement and physical activity self-efficacy were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. For physical activity engagement assessment, the duration of physical activity in each physical activity participation was divided into four categories as follows: <20, 20-40, 40–60, and >60 minutes; and the frequency of physical activity was divided into six categories as follows: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and >5 times/week. Furthermore, physical activity self-efficacy for learning efficiency, physical fitness, psychological functioning, and overall health status was evaluated by five scales (1-5) from “not effective” to “effective”. Higher scores indicate higher levels of physical activity self-efficacy. The association between physical activity self-efficacy and physical activity engagement was examined using chi-squared test. RESULTS: In male students, participants with higher physical activity self-efficacy for learning efficiency (P for trend = 0.006), physical fitness (P for trend = 0.006), psychological functioning (P for trend < 0.001), and overall health status (P for trend = 0.023) tended to have higher frequency of physical activity engagement. These findings were also observed in association between physical activity self-efficacy and duration of physical activity engagement (P for trend < 0.05 for all). Similarly, physical activity self-efficacy was also significantly associated with physical activity engagement in female students. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that higher physical activity self-efficacy is associated with higher physical activity engagement in Chinese college students. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.