Suchergebnisse

Purpose. Explore whether adults' physical activity behavior or their use of physical activity behavior-change strategies, as derived from the Transtheoretical Model, differed by handedness. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 151 adults' hand preference (i.e., handedness: right, left, ambidextrous) and their use of the behavioral and cognitive processes of change, decisional balance scores (i.e., pros minus cons), self-efficacy, and their stage of change for physical activity involvement. Results. Left-handers showed significantly less use of the behavioral and cognitive processes of change compared to right-handers (M = 46.9 vs. M = 40.5 and M = 46.9 vs. M = 40.5, respectively). Left-handers were also significantly more likely to be in the earlier (i.e., inactive or irregularly active) stages of change relative to right-handers (84.6% vs. 48.1%, respectively). Discussion. Handedness may be a previously unrecognized, heritable correlate of physical activity behavior and the use of physical activity behavior-change strategies.

Purpose. Previous research examining the transtheoretical model of behavior change within the exercise domain has been limited by use of self-report measures exclusively and inconsistent practices with regard to stage of exercise assessment. The present study was designed to partially circumvent these limitations and extend the current literature by determining the degree of association among stage of exercise and body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise behavior, relapse, barriers, and self-efficacy, after controlling for several potential confounders. Design. A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Subjects. Two hundred thirty-five adults (M age = 34.7 years) volunteered to participate. Measures. Participants were classified by stage of exercise and compared on two behavioral, two biometrical, and three psychological variables while statistically controlling for social desirability and demographic differences. Results. Significant between-stage differences were found for the overall set of dependent variables (p <.0001) and for each dependent variable separately (p <.01). The proportion of variance accounted for by the dependent variables ranged from .06 to .53. Conclusions. This study offers objective support for the stage-of-change model within the exercise domain. By acknowledging and accurately assessing stage of exercise, researchers and clinicians may be able to improve physical activity promotion efforts.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect behavioral monitoring had on female adults' physical activity behavior and the psychosocial determinants of their exercise behavior. The sample consisted of 23 adults (M age=33.5 yr.). Those in the experimental group
(n=12) attended a onehour educational seminar, were taught to monitor their behavior using a Caltrac accelerometer, and were issued a Caltrac accelerometer to wear for 14 consecutive days. Those in the control group (n=11) attended the educational program only. At pre- and post-intervention,
measures of physical activity and exercise behavior, adherence, identity, and self-efficacy were obtained. A 2 × 2 repeated measures MANOVA revealed no significant between, within, or interaction effects.

Purpose. Examine whether nonbout physical activity (i.e., <10 minutes' duration of physical activity [PA]) demonstrates a stronger association with health outcomes than bout physical activity (i.e., ≥ 10 minutes' duration). Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. NHANES 2003–2006. Subjects. A total of 6321 participants ranging in age from 18 to 85 years. Measures. Objectively measured PA was assessed using accelerometry. A variety of health outcomes (e.g., triglyceride levels) were objectively measured, including an assessment of metabolic syndrome. Analysis. Multivariate regression analyses examined the association between bouts and nonbouts on each of the biologic health outcomes. Additionally, differences in each of the biologic variables among those who met PA guidelines for both approaches were evaluated. Results. After adjustments, results were similar for both approaches. For example, the odds ratio (OR) for metabolic syndrome for nonbouts (OR, 1.89; p < .001) was similar to that for bouts (OR, 1.87; p = .002). With the exception of body mass index, similar values for the biologic variables were found between those meeting guidelines for the two PA approaches. Conclusion. Engaging in nonbouts, as opposed to bouts of PA, is just as strongly associated with several biologic health outcomes, suggesting that adults who perceive themselves as having little time to exercise may still be able to enhance their health by adopting an active lifestyle approach.

Purpose. To examine the effect of a mail-mediated intervention, based on self-determination theory, on adults' exercise behavior. Methods. The study was a randomized control trial conducted over a 2-month period. Of the initial 185 volunteer participants, 126 (68.1%) completed questionnaires at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Participants in intervention-only and intervention-plus-booster groups received a mail-delivered packet containing strategies designed to promote perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness regarding exercise. Those in a control group received an American Heart Association physical-activity facts packet. After 1 month, those in the intervention-plus-booster group received a booster postcard, reiterating the main points of the initial intervention packet. Exercise behavior was the primary outcome variable. Perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness were evaluated as mediating variables. Results. Separate 3 (group) × 3 (time) repeated measures analyses of variance conducted for men and women revealed that for women, all three groups significantly increased exercise levels over the 2-month period. No significant interactions were found regarding the influence of the intervention on the mediating variables. A process evaluation indicated a lack of compliance regarding completing intervention-packet worksheets. Discussion. Findings suggested that more intensive interventions and greater fidelity of treatment may be needed to evidence change in exercise behavior.

Objectives. One of the mandates of Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is to address the accessibility of public facilities for all people. The aim of this study was to determine how compliant physical activity facilities in western Oregon were with regard to Title III of the ADA. Comparisons were also made with the findings of a study conducted 5 years prior in a different geographic region. Methods. On the basis of direct observations and physical measurements taken during on-site visits to 50 physical activity facilities located in western Oregon during 2000–2001, facility compliance with Title III of the ADA was characterized in terms of 10 structural domains. Results. No facility was found to be 100% ADA-compliant. Exterior entrance/doors (90%) and telephone accessibility (88%) were the areas where compliance was highest, whereas accessibility to and around exercise equipment (8%) and customer service desk (37%) were areas lowest in compliance. Relative to a previously published study, the facilities in western Oregon showed greater rates of ADA compliance in six of the 10 structural domains evaluated. Conclusions. There is an on-going need and legal mandate for increasing the accessibility of physical activity facilities. Furthermore, from a social-ecological perspective, the environmental constraints identified in this study might be limiting factors in efforts aimed at increasing individuals with disabilities' physical activity involvement.

Purpose. To use the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) constructs to examine the most important physical activity stage of change predictors for mostly inactive adults with physical disabilities. Methods. A cross-sectional survey completed on the Internet. One hundred fifty-one individuals with physical disabilities (50% response rate) completed the survey questionnaires. Self-report standardized measures were used. Results. A direct discriminant function analysis revealed that the most important stage of change predictors were the behavioral (r2 = .88) and cognitive (r2 = .50) processes of change, followed by self-efficacy (r2 = .33) and decisional balance (r2 = .13). The most accurate stages in prediction were the contemplation (76.3%), preparation (58.3%), and precontemplation (40%) stages, whereas the least accurate stages were the action (0.0%) and maintenance (8.3%) stages. Conclusion. Health promoters and educators may use strategies from the TTM to develop theory-driven physical activity motivational programs for the posited populace. Considering the cross-sectional design, study replication is warranted.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of objectively measured lifestyle light-intensity physical activity (LLPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with various biological markers and chronic diseases among a nationally representative sample of U.S. older adults (65+ years). Design. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. Setting. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006. Subjects. Subjects were 1,496 older U.S. adults. Measures. Participants wore an accelerometer for at least 4 days and completed questionnaires to assess sociodemographics and chronic disease information. Blood samples were taken to assess biological markers. Analysis. Adjusted Wald tests and Poisson regression were used to examine the association of LLPA and MVPA with biological markers and chronic disease. Results. Older adults engaging in ≥300 min/wk of LLPA had lower observed values for body mass index, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance compared to those engaging in <300 min/wk of LLPA. Additionally, those engaging in <300 min/wk of LLPA had a rate 1.18 times greater for having chronic disease compared to those engaging in ≥300 min/wk of LLPA. Conclusion. In this national sample of older U.S. adults, participation in at least 300 min/wk of LLPA was associated with more favorable health outcomes. Future experimental studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Purpose. To examine psychosocial concomitants of stages of change for muscular fitness-promoting behavior among college students in America and France. Methods. Participants were from Lyon 1 University (Claude Bernard), France (n = 171) and Oregon State University, United States (n = 231). The main variables of interest were nationality, gender, stage of change, cons, pros, and self-efficacy. Results. The majority of Americans reported being in action or maintenance, whereas the majority of French reported being in precontemplation or contemplation (66.2% vs. 56.8%, respectively, p < .001). The only theoretical variable that Americans (adjusted mean [Madj.] = 9.2) and French (Madj. = 7.7) differed on was perceived pros (p < .001). Nationality, self-efficacy, and pros were the most important stage-of-change concomitants. Stage-of-change classification accuracy was 47.9%. Conclusion. This study questions whether the transtheoretical model is fully generalizable when applied to this specific behavioral application using a mixed-culture sample.

Purpose. We have a limited understanding of the objectively determined physical activity levels by weight control status (i.e., trying to lose weight, trying to maintain weight, and neither trying to lose or maintain weight) among U.S. adults with diabetes. Therefore, this study assessed the association between physical activity and weight control status among U.S. adults with diabetes. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. The 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used, which is representative of the U.S. population. Subjects. Subjects were 733 adults (≥ 20 years) with diabetes. Measures. Participants wore an accelerometer to assess physical activity, and questionnaires were used to assess weight control status and covariates. Analysis. Multivariate negative binomial regressions were used. Results. After adjustments, and compared to those not trying to lose or maintain their weight, women trying to lose weight engaged in 74% more physical activity (rate ratio = 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14 to 2.65). Although findings were not significant for men, men were more likely than women to meet physical activity recommendations. Conclusion. Diabetic women trying to lose weight engaged in more physical activity than did their female counterparts not trying to lose or maintain their weight. Although men were more active than women, no differences in activity estimates occurred across weight control status for men.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between physical education (PE) and sports involvement with physical activity (PA), physical fitness, and beliefs about PA among a national sample of adolescents. Setting: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey were used. Participants: A total of 459 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. Measures: Adolescents self-reported engagement in the above parameters; muscular fitness objectively determined. Analysis: Multivariable linear regression. Results: Adolescents who had PE during school days had a higher enjoyment of participating in PE (β = 0.32; P = .01), engaged in more days of being physically active for ≥60 min/d (β = 1.02; P < .001), and performed the plank fitness test longer (β = 17.2; P = .002). Adolescents who played school sports reported that more PA was needed for good health (β = 0.23; P = .04), had a higher enjoyment of participating in PE (β = 0.31; P = .003), engaged in more days of being physically active for ≥60 min/d (β = 0.70; P = .01), performed more pull-ups (β = 2.33; P = .008), had a stronger grip strength (β = 2.5; P = .01), and performed the plank fitness test longer (β = 11.6; P = .04). Conclusion: Adolescents who had PE during school, who had more frequent and long-lasting PE, and who played school sports generally had more accurate perceptions of the amount of PA needed for good health, had greater enjoyment of PE, were more physically active, and performed better on several muscular fitness-related tests. This underscores the importance of PE integration in the schools and encouragement of school sports participation.