ERIC Number: EJ847497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Predicting Physical Activity of First-Year University Students: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior
Kwan, Matthew Yiu Wing; Bray, Steven Russell; Ginis, Kathleen Anne Martin
Journal of American College Health, v58 n1 p45-52 Jul-Aug 2009
Objective: The purpose of this study was to apply Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) and a measure of past physical activity behavior to predict first-year students' physical activity intentions and behavior. Participants and Methods: First-year university students (N = 212) completed measures of TPB variables and past physical activity at the start of the 2006 fall semester and a measure of physical activity 8 weeks later. Results: The TPB variables explained 37% of the variance in intentions, increasing to 39% with the addition of past behavior. Logistic regression showed that past behavior predicted whether students met Health Canada standards for being "physically active" ([greater than or equal to] 4 sessions of moderate/vigorous physical activity per week). Conclusions: Findings are consistent with other research showing that the TPB offers a good prediction of physical activity intentions but falls short of predicting behavior. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Physical Activities, Physical Activity Level, Foreign Countries, Prediction, College Freshmen, Regression (Statistics), Intention, Health Behavior, Measures (Individuals), Standards
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A