Physical Activity Outcome Expectations Research Articles

Let\u2019s walk! Age reattribution and physical activity among older Hispanic/Latino adults: results from the \xa1Caminemos! Randomized trial

BackgroundMany older Hispanics/Latinos are physically inactive and suffer the harmful health consequences associated with prolonged periods of inactivity. Negative age attributions that equate getting older with “slowing down” reinforce this inactive behavior. We implemented a community-based exercise intervention among insufficiently active older Hispanics/Latinos with a randomized trial of an attribution-retraining program, ¡Caminemos! (Let’s Walk!), and measured the effect of the program on walking behavior.MethodsFive hundred and seventy-two older Hispanics/Latinos (≥60 years) were enrolled in an exercise program that randomly assigned participants to the exercise class and one of two conditions: (a) treatment (attribution retraining to dispel the notion that physical activity inevitably ceases with age) or (b) control (generic health education). Data were collected at baseline and follow-up (1, 12, and 24 months). Physical activity was determined through pedometer data and the Yale Physical Activity Survey. We also measured the intervention effects on age-expectations, self-efficacy expectations, and outcome expectations for physical activity. Mixed-effects regression models were used to determine intervention effects on prospective measures of physical activity and intrapersonal expectations.ResultsThe sample had a mean age of 73 years (SD = 6.8) and was 77% female, and 76% of the sample reported income <$20,000. At baseline, control and treatment groups walked about 3000 steps/day. By 24 months, participants in both arms of the intervention maintained greater than 10,000 mean steps/day, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. In analyses adjusted for age, sex, education, income, health status, and acculturation, participants in both trial arms increased their mean numbers of steps at 12 and 24 months, with the treatment group showing a greater number of mean steps compared to the controls at 12 months.ConclusionsIn this group of physically inactive older Hispanics/Latinos, attribution retraining in combination with an exercise class was superior to the exercise class alone with regard to increasing walking behavior. This success was sustained at 12 months (the pre-defined primary study outcome) but not at 24 months. For older Hispanics/Latinos, enrollment in an attribution-retraining exercise program can improve an inactive lifestyle.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00183014.

A mixed methods exploration of how university students with physical disabilities perceive physical activity and the influence of perceptions on physical activity levels

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate university students with physical disabilities’ (SWD) perceptions of physical activity (PA) and how these perceptions may influence activity levels. Methods: Using reliable and validated surveys with in-depth interviews, researchers examined the perspectives of 13 undergraduate SWD regarding PA in the context of their university environment. Four quantitative surveys were used to understand participants’ health practices (SRAHP), exercise self-efficacy (EXSE), barriers to PA (BARSE), and outcome expectations for PA (MOEES). To gather richer, exploratory data, interviews were focused on answering how do SWD perceive and define PA, and what factors influence their PA participation? Correlational analysis and independent t-tests were used to examine survey outcomes. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and line-by-line coding strategies. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed correlations between all MOEES surveys, as well as the EXSE...

Results of Walking in Faith: A Faith-Based Physical Activity Program for Clergy.

Clergy are disproportionately affected by obesity and chronic disease. Physical activity (PA) offers a viable option for addressing the health of clergy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored PA program for clergy. Clergy (N=44) were randomly assigned to an intervention group or wait-list control group. Baseline and follow-up measures included PA behavior and psychosocial measures. Analyses revealed a significant effect of the intervention on sedentary behavior, PA behavior, self-efficacy for PA, and outcome expectations for PA. Culturally tailored PA programs could potentially influence PA behavior and psychosocial mediators of PA among clergy.

A dual-process model of older adults' sedentary behavior.

This 14-day daily diary study tested a dual-process model of motivation to determine the between-person (time-invariant) and within-person (time-varying) processes associated with older adults' daily sedentary behavior. This model integrated the health action process approach (HAPA) with research on habit strength. Older adults (n = 100) answered questions regarding their motivation and behavior at the beginning and end of each day, respectively. Participants also wore ActivPAL3 activity monitors for the duration of the study. Multilevel models predicting behavior revealed that sedentary behavior was (a) negatively associated with planning to reduce sedentary behavior at the within-person (but not the between-person) level, and (b) positively associated with sedentary behavior habit strength. Plans to limit sedentary behavior were (a) positively associated with task self-efficacy at the within-person level, but (b) negatively associated at the between-person level, and (c) positively associated with intentions at the between- and within-person level. Intentions to limit sedentary behavior were (a) positively associated with task self-efficacy at the between and within-person level, but (b) not associated with light-intensity physical activity outcome expectations, sedentary behavior risk perceptions, or sedentary behavior habit strength. This study was the first to systematically investigate a combination of controlled and automatic processes that are associated with daily fluctuations in older adults' sedentary behavior. Interventions aiming to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults should target the motivational constructs identified in this study to provide the best chance for behavior change.

Relationships among Psychosocial Correlates and Stages of Change in a German-Chinese Sample

Promoting Health Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) behavior is an important undertaking in Germany as well as in China. In order to create successful interventions in different nations, knowledge about the relevant psychosocial correlates that may encourage successful progression through the behavior change process is necessary. Therefore, the relationships of selected psychosocial correlates of physical activity with stages of change were examined in a German-Chinese sample. In total, 2071 adults (865 Germans, 1206 Chinese) completed a questionnaire. The theoretical framework used was the FIT-model, which consists of the following stages of change: not considering, considering, preparing, exploring, fluctuating and maintaining. All data were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA. Significant main effects for the stages of change on all psychosocial correlates were found. Significant interactions between stages and nations emerged for all correlates except for social support, although these results revealed small effect sizes. To progress within the stages of inactivity, interventions should focus on outcome expectations, barriers, social support and affective attitudes. The successful initiation of physical activity depends on considerations of barriers, maintenance self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation and affective attitudes. These same correlates plus social support are relevant for long-term adherence to physical activity. In Germany, perceived barriers and emotional aspects of physical activity appear to be important for initiating and maintaining regular physical activity. Furthermore, for long-term adherence to physical activity, Germans—in contrast to Chinese adults—may not necessarily benefit from social support; however they could benefit from learning how to strengthen their physical activity outcome expectations.

Abstract NS27: Effects of a Theory Based Stroke Prevention Program in Korean Americans: A Pilot Study

Background: Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, and nonfatal stroke is a leading cause of long-term functional disability in the United States. Stroke can be prevented by managing risk factors and improving stroke knowledge. Although many health education programs have been shown to be effective for stroke prevention, those programs may not reach minority populations with a language barrier, such as older Korean Americans (KAs). The purposes of this study were to develop an 8-week theory-based stroke prevention (TBSP) program for older KAs and test its preliminary impact on stroke knowledge, healthy eating, and physical activity behaviors among KAs. Methods: A two-group, pretest-posttest, randomized controlled trial was employed. Using a convenience sampling method, participants were recruited from two senior centers (n = 73, age ≥ 55). Data were collected at baseline and at 8 weeks. The TBSP program included face-to-face lectures and discussion sessions. Descriptive statistics were performed on the sample and variables. A general linear model and logistic regression analysis were used to test the main hypotheses. Results: The majority of participants (n = 54, 74.0%) were female (mean age, 71.49 ± 6.25 years), and 65.8% were married. Thirty-two participants (43.8%) completed greaterthan high school. More than half of participants (n = 40, 55.0%) were engaged in low levels of physical activity (&lt; 600 MET-minutes/wk). Total fat intake was adequate (50.25 ± 22.10 g/day), and sodium intake was high (3861.80 ± 1891.19 mg/day). The intervention group showed greater improvement in stroke knowledge (F = 6.88, p = .011) and physical activity (OR = 11.79, 95% CI = 1.94 - 71.65) and a reduction in total fat intake (F = 8.93, p = .004). There were no significant differences between the two groups for sodium and cholesterol intake or self-efficacy and outcome expectations for physical activity and healthy eating. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated some improvement in stroke knowledge and healthy behaviors after the TBSP program. High sodium intake in this population needs further intervention. More studies are needed with larger, more diverse older KA samples to improve generalizability.

Factors Influencing Expectations of Physical Activity for Adolescents Residing in Appalachia

BackgroundAppalachian adolescents are at an increased risk for sedentary behavior; little research has addressed this concern.PurposeThis study examined adolescents' expectations for engaging in physical activity (PA), chiefly expectations for relaxation and fitness. Independent variables were self-efficacy expectations (SEEs) to overcome barriers to PA, body mass index (BMI), gender, and grade level.MethodsOne thousand and twenty-four 9th (n = 602) and 12th (n = 422) graders, 520 females and 504 males, attending 11 high schools in a rural Appalachian region participated. Participant SEE, BMI, grade level, gender, and outcome expectations (OEs) for PA were determined via a self-report questionnaire.ResultsResults of a multivariate analysis of variance indicated that gender, grade level, and SEE significantly impacted OE for PA. BMI was not related to PA expectations. The interaction of self-efficacy and gender as well as self-efficacy and grade level were significant.DiscussionPositive health messages supporting increased levels of involvement in PA for adolescents in rural Appalachian areas may encourage these youth to exercise more frequently.Translation to Health Education PracticeFuture research assessing the impact of messages to improve SEE for PA on changes in PA and adolescents' attitudes toward engaging in PA will advance knowledge in the field.

Sex differences in social cognitive factors and physical activity in Korean college students.

[Purpose] This study examined sex differences in physical activity and social cognitive theory factors in Korean college students. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional survey of 688 college students (285 men and 403 women) in Korea was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire. [Results] There was a significant difference in the level of physical activity between male and female students. The significant predictors of physical activity for male students were physical activity goals, physical activity self-efficacy, and sitting time. Meanwhile, those for female students were perceived weight, physical activity goal, physical activity outcome expectations, and sitting time. [Conclusion] Sex differences should be considered when developing interventions to increase physical activity.

Outcome Expectations and Physical Activity in Persons With Longstanding Multiple Sclerosis

Research suggests that persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are much less physically active than the general population and that increased physical activity in persons with MS is associated with numerous benefits such as improvements in fatigue, mobility, and quality of life (). Potentially modifiable theory-based determinants of physical activity behavior need to be identified so that researchers may study their effectiveness in randomized clinical trials and clinicians may integrate them into practice to promote physical activity in this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the multidimensional (physical, social, and self-evaluative) outcome expectations for physical activity among persons with longstanding MS. A sample of 369 participants diagnosed with MS for more than 15 years completed surveys to measure multidimensional outcome expectations for exercise, MS functional limitations, and physical activity using two different instruments: one measuring physical activity engagement and the other measuring physical activity capability. Results indicated that MS functional limitation was the strongest predictor of both physical activity engagement and physical activity capability. Physical and social outcome expectations contributed to the model explaining 12% of the variation in physical activity engagement, whereas none of the outcome expectancy dimensions (physical, social, or self-evaluative) contributed to the model explaining variation in physical activity capability. Although analyses of cross-sectional data do not infer causation, these findings suggest that positive physical and social outcome expectations for physical activity are associated with engagement in physical activity as well as being potential sources of motivation for increasing physical activity behavior in individuals living with longstanding MS.

Promoting Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Through a Community-School Partnership: The Effects of Marathon Kids® on Low-Income Elementary School Children in Texas

Marathon Kids® (MK) is a community and school-based program that promotes running, walking, and healthy eating in elementary school children. This study assessed the impact of MK on self-reported physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), and related psycho-social factors in a sample of low-income, 4th- and 5th-grade students in Texas (n = 511). Intervention strategies included structured school running time, behavioral tracking, celebratory events, and rewards. A quasi-experimental design with 5 intervention (MK) and 3 comparison schools was employed. Students were assessed at baseline in the fall and at 3 time points during 2008 to 09. Mixed-effect regression methods were used to model pooled means, adjusting for baseline and sociodemographic variables. MK students reported a higher mean time of running in past 7 days compared with non-MK students (mean = 4.38 vs. 3.83, respectively. P = .002), with a standardized effect size of 0.16. Mean times of FVC (P = .008), athletic identity self-concept (P < .001), PA outcome expectations (P = .007), and PA and FVC self-efficacy (P < .001 and P = .02, respectively) were also higher in MK students. Fewer differences in social support were observed. Findings provide further evidence on the importance of community and school partnerships for promoting PA and healthy eating in children.

Physical Activity Behaviors of Students of a Rural Historically Black College

Physical activity can have a positive impact on health disparities among African Americans. Objective: In this study, we assessed physical activity behaviors and correlates of students of a Historically Black College. Methods: In September 2004, an online survey and pedometers were used to measure physical activity behavior and correlates. Participants: A convenience sample of 106 students completed the survey and received pedometers. Pedometer data were submitted online for 5 weeks. Results: One hundred and six students completed the survey. Twenty-eight percent and 41% of respondents met recommendations for moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity, respectively. Week 1 daily pedometer step count average was 8,707. Most students reported positive outcome expectations for physical activity. Students submitting pedometer data were less likely to meet MPA recommendations than students only completing the survey. Conclusions: African American students feel positive about physical activity yet most do not meet recommended levels.

Psychosocial, environmental and behavioral factors associated with bone health in middle-school girls.

The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial, environmental and behavioral factors associated with calcium intake, physical activity and bone health in a cohort of adolescent girls. Baseline data (N = 718 girls, mean age: 11.6 +/-0.4 years) from the Incorporating More Physical Activity and Calcium in Teens (IMPACT) study conducted in Texas, 2001-03, were utilized for the analyses. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine the associations of interest. Confounders adjusted for included ethnicity, menarchal status, body mass index and lactose intolerance. Several psychosocial and behavioral factors were significantly associated with bone quality. These included knowledge of calcium content of foods (beta = 0.08, P = 0.016), self-efficacy toward consuming calcium-rich foods (beta = 0.16, P = 0.047), physical activity self-efficacy (beta = 0.20, P = 0.002), physical activity outcome expectations (beta = 0.5, P = 0.004), family encouragement to do physical activity (beta = 0.96, P = 0.027), friend engagement in physical activity (beta = 1.3, P = 0.001) and participation in sports teams (beta = 1.7, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy, social support and participation in sports teams appear to be strongly associated with bone health in adolescent girls. Future health education/health promotion programs need to address these factors for effective primary prevention of osteoporosis in this population.