Social Cognitive Factors Associated With Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural breakdown of the skeleton. The disease may be prevented through weight-bearing, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is important for periand postmenopausal women who are at great risk for OP. However, most women do not participate in activity according to guidelines, which can negatively impact bone health. A better understanding of multi-dimensional factors that influence MVPA may help inform physical activity interventions aiming for OP prevention. The purpose of this study was to utilize social cognitive theory (SCT) to understand the associations between social cognitive factors and MVPA among periand postmenopausal women. Eighty-seven periand postmenopausal women (aged 43 to 65) completed this cross-sectional study. Participants completed demographic, health, calcium, and SCT questionnaires. SCT variables assessed included task self-efficacy (SET) and barrier selfefficacy (SEB), perceived social support from friends (SSFR) and family (SSFA), and perceived access to facilities (ACF) and home equipment (ACH). Participants wore an NL-1000 pedometer for one week to assess total steps per day and minutes spent in MVPA. Past year MVPA, past week leisure MVPA, and past week occupational/ transport MVPA were assessed with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the direct relationships between cognitive variables and each of the physical activity outcome measures. Moderationmediation analysis was conducted to determine if significant interaction effects or confounding effects existed between social cognitive variables and each physical activity