Using Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Physical Activity and Fitness in Underserved Middle School Children

• Autores: Jeffrey J. Martin, Nate McCaughtry, Sara B. Flory, Anne Murphy, Kimberlydawn Wisdom
• Localización: Research quarterly for exercise and sport, ISSN 0270-1367, Vol. 82, Nº. 2, 2011, págs. 247-255
• Idioma: inglés
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• Dialnet Métricas: 1 Cita
• Resumen

  • Few researchers have used social cognitive theory and environment-based constructs to predict physical activity (PA) and fitness in underserved middle-school children. Hence, we evaluated social cognitive variables and perceptions of the school environment to predict PA and fitness in middle school children (N = 506, ages 10�14 years). Using multiple regression analyses we accounted for 12% of the variance in PA and 13�21% of the variance in fitness. The best predictors of PA were barrier self-efficacy, classmate social support, and gender; whereas, only gender predicted fitness. The results affirmed the importance of barrier self-efficacy and gender differences. Our findings regarding classmate social support are some of the first to illuminate the importance of school-specific peers in promoting PA.