An ecological understanding of recreational physical activity among young adults
Open Access
- Author:
- Sylvia, Sarah Noel
- Graduate Program:
- Leisure Studies
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 26, 2004
- Committee Members:
- Linda L Caldwell, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Garry Chick, Committee Member
Alan R Graefe, Committee Member
Edward A Smith, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Strucutral Equation Modeling (SEM)
university students
physical activity - Abstract:
- The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the developmental context and individual characteristics of older adolescents, ages 18-24 years, on their current physical activity participation patterns. I was interested in the nature of personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors on physical activity participation from a developmental contextualist perspective. Ecological systems theory provided the theoretical foundation for this study, within which self-efficacy theory and self-determination theory were explored. These theories were chosen based upon the belief that leisure time physical activity participation has multiple influences including individual’s beliefs in their ability to be active and their motivational disposition. A cross-sectional, nonexperimental design was used to answer the research questions. A convenience sample of 876 university students were recruited for participation. Structural equation modeling was used to test the main effects of environmental influences and physical activity self-efficacy on current physical activity participation, as well as the main effects of previous physical activity experience and social support on physical activity self-efficacy. Recollection of positive previous physical activity experiences and support to be active from peers was positively related to self-efficacy and self-efficacy had a strong positive relationship with physical activity with 43% of the variance in self-efficacy explained and 15% of the variance in physical activity explained. Additional structural equation modeling techniques were used to determine if motivation served as a moderator between self-efficacy and physical activity. This relationship was not supported, however post hoc analysis indicated motivation did moderate the relation between family support to be active and self-efficacy. Family support to be active was positively related to self-efficacy only for those students who were highly motivated to be active; less motivated students’ self-efficacy was not influenced by family support. This study uniquely considered multiple influences on physical activity among a university population. The analyses demonstrate the importance of considering the context in understanding physical activity participation.