A Prospective Study of the Determinants of Physical Activity in Rural Fifth-Grade Children

Abstract

Background.Understanding the factors that influence physical activity behavior is important in the design of intervention programs targeted at youth. Methods.A prospective study design was used to identify the predictors of vigorous physical activity (VPA) (≥6 METs) and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (≥3 METs) among 202 rural, predominantly African-American children. Selected social–cognitive determinants of physical activity were assessed via questionnaire in the fifth grade. Participation in VPA and MVPA was assessed via the previous day physical activity recall 1 year later in the sixth grade. Results.For girls, participation in community sports, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers, enjoyment of school physical education, race (white > black), and perception of mother's activity level (active vs inactive) were significant predictors of VPA. For MVPA, participation in community sports and self-efficacy in overcoming barriers were significant predictors. For boys, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers was the only significant predictor of VPA, while beliefs regarding activity outcomes and participation in community sports were significant predictors of MVPA. Conclusion.Social–cognitive constructs such as physical activity self-efficacy, access to community physical activity outlets, and positive beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes are important predictors of future physical activity behavior among rural, predominantly African-American children.