Psychological attributes of participants and nonparticipants in a worksite health and fitness center.

Abstract

This study examined differences in psychological attributes (eg, estimation of physical ability, attraction to physical activity, self-motivation, and attitudinal commitment to physical activity) among 646 participants and nonparticipants in an onsite health and fitness program. An analysis of the data, using stepwise multiple regression and controlling for age and sex, revealed that the psychological attributes significantly predicted group membership (R2 = .27). Increased participation was related to higher levels of attitudinal commitment (beta = .48) and self-motivation (beta = .16). Increased participation, however, was inversely related to estimation of physical ability (beta = -.17). Results of the stepwise multiple discriminant analysis showed that nonparticipants and high active participants could be classified using the predetermined variables with an accuracy of 32.7% and 40.1% gain above base rate, respectively. Low active and moderately active participants were classified at a rate only equal to chance. The authors discuss implications for programming strategies to increase participation in onsite programs.