Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify gender differences in social support dimensions’ effect on adults’ leisure-time physical activity maintenance, type, and time.METHODS Longitudinal study of 1,278 non-faculty public employees at a university in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Southeastern Brazil. Physical activity was evaluated using a dichotomous question with a two-week reference period, and further questions concerning leisure-time physical activity type (individual or group) and time spent on the activity. Social support was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. For the analysis, logistic regression models were adjusted separately by gender.RESULTS A multinomial logistic regression showed an association between material support and individual activities among women (OR = 2.76; 95%CI 1.2;6.5). Affective support was associated with time spent on leisure-time physical activity only among men (OR = 1.80; 95%CI 1.1;3.2).CONCLUSIONS All dimensions of social support that were examined influenced either the type of, or the time spent on, leisure-time physical activity. In some social support dimensions, the associations detected varied by gender. Future studies should attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in these gender differences.
Highlights
Scientific evidence has addressed the various potential demographic, psychological, environmental, and social determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and how they act.[19,21] the reasons individuals maintain LTPA over time have been less investigated, its health benefits are well established.[15]
In some social support dimensions, the associations detected varied by gender
Gender differences might exist in the relationships between social factors and LTPA, this has been less investigated, in adult populations
Summary
Scientific evidence has addressed the various potential demographic, psychological, environmental, and social determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and how they act.[19,21] the reasons individuals maintain LTPA over time have been less investigated, its health benefits are well established.[15] gender differences might exist in the relationships between social factors and LTPA, this has been less investigated, in adult populations. Women are known to be less physically active in their leisure time than men.[3,27] Some authors[3,8] suggest that this gender difference generally emphasizes women’s different abilities, interests, and choices These arguments may not be sufficient to explain the difference
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