The Influence of Race on the Relationship Among Perceived Exercise Behavior and Various Exercise Associated Psychological Factors

Abstract

2059 PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of race on the relationship among social physique anxiety, self-presentation protection, physical self-efficacy, and perceived exercise behavior among college students. METHODS: A convenience sample of undergraduate students (n = 328, age 18–30 yrs) from three medium-sized midwestern universities completed the Self-Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire (SPEQ), Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES), and a Minnesota Heart Health Program Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants included 130 Caucasians (39.6%), 130 African-Americans (39.6%), 35 Hispanic Americans (10.7%), and 33 Asian Americans (10.1%). Data were partitioned by racial group and correlations between each of the variables were calculated. RESULTS: Analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in correlations of exercise behavior with SPAS between African Americans (r = −.24) and Caucasians (r = .17), with perceived physical ability between African Americans (r = .50) and Caucasians (r = .08), and with physical self-presentational confidence between African Americans (r = .29) and Caucasians (r = −.07). A 4 × 5 (race × psychological factor) MANOVA and follow-up univariate analyses indicated that Hispanic Americans were significantly different from African Americans and Caucasians for impression motivation and that African Americans were significantly different from Asian Americans and Caucasians for SPA and PSPC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that race may play a pivotal role in determining the exercise frequency, duration, and intensity of different racial groups.