Exploring the Relationship Among Physical Fitness Level, Social Norm Perceptions and PA Intention

Abstract

College students’ healthy behavior choices are influenced by social norms, defined as the standards by which an individual judges the appropriateness of a behavior. Intentions then directly affect behavior. The Focus Theory of Normative Conduct (FTNC) identifies task value, outcome expectations and injunctive norms (i.e. what others approve of) as underlining mechanisms moderating the relationship between descriptive norms (i.e., what others do) and intentions. While FTNC identifies underlying psychosocial mechanisms, the interaction between physiological factors and social norms are currently unexplored. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among aerobic fitness (VO2 max), percent body fat, social norms, and physical activity intention. METHODS: Participants (N = 43, 25 females, 18 males; mean age = 21 ± 6 years) college undergraduate students. A survey consisting of previously validated measures was administered to assess normative perceptions, task value, and outcome expectations. Body fat, aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance and flexibility were assessed in the university’s applied physiology laboratory by an ACSM certified heath fitness specialist. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression equations were run to address the research questions. Block 1 for each analysis remained constant with descriptive norms entered as the independent variable. Descriptive norms accounted for 39.5% of the variance in intention to be active [F (1,41) = 27.33, p < .001]. Insertion of interaction variable one (descriptive norm x VO2 max) into the model did not contribute significantly to the model (b = .017, p = .52), indicating VO2 max was not a moderator (Aiken & West, 1991). Insertion of interaction variable two (descriptive norm x percent body fat) into the model did not contribute significantly to the model (b = .02, p = .46), indicating VO2 max was also not a moderator. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that descriptive norms may play more of an important role in college students’ decisions to be physically active than previously thought. Additionally, the findings suggest that regardless of current physical fitness level, emphasizing the positive behaviors of respective peer groups is a potential avenue for practitioners seeking to increase physical activity in students.