Abstract
Factors that affect physical activity (PA) behavior change are well established. Behavioral intention is a strong psychological predictor of behavior; however, there is less research on the factors that affect the intention to increase PA participation specifically, especially among adults in mid and later life who are inactive. Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, which was informed by the transtheoretical model (TTM), this study investigated the relationships between a range of demographic and biopsychosocial factors with the intention to become physically active among 1,159 inactive adults aged 40 years and older. Comparisons were made between participants reporting the intention to begin PA in the next 30 days (TTM Preparation; n = 610), 6 months (TTM Contemplation; n = 216), or not at all (TTM Precontemplation; n = 333). First, multinomial logistic regression identified age, sex, ethnicity, education, restriction of activities, self-perceived health, and community belonging as factors significantly associated with 30-day PA intention, while age and ethnicity were significantly associated with 6-month PA intention, compared with those reporting no intention. Second, binary logistic regression revealed that education was the only factor that differentially associated with intention timeframe as participants with lower levels of education were less likely to report PA intention in 30 days compared with 6 months. Findings demonstrate key demographic, biopsychosocial, and temporal factors that warrant consideration for tailored PA promotion programs that aim to effectively address the constraints and barriers that negatively influence PA intention among middle-aged and older adults.
Highlights
Research demonstrates that one’s intention to be physically active is significantly and positively associated with subsequent physical activity (PA) participation (Chatzisarantis et al, 2019)
This study explored factors associated with PA intention among inactive middle-aged and older adults
Results demonstrate that a range of factors affect PA intention in mid and later life
Summary
Research demonstrates that one’s intention to be physically active is significantly and positively associated with subsequent PA participation (Chatzisarantis et al, 2019). People who have the intention to become active have significantly greater odds of behavioral change than those who do not This evidence positions PA intention as an important and useful precursor to PA participation (Sheeran, 2002; Webb & Sheeran, 2006). Middle-aged and older adults are significantly less likely than younger adults to have the intention to engage and to participate in recommended levels of PA (Alley et al, 2018; Crombie et al, 2004; Harvey et al, 2015), those in mid and later life who do have PA intention are more likely to transition to PA participation (Hagger et al, 2002) This trend indicates that PA intention has a greater influence on PA participation among middle-aged and older adults than others earlier in their lifespan
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