1. Predicting Physical Activity of First-Year University Students: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.
- Author
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Wing Kwan, Matthew Yiu, Bray, Steven Russell, and Martin Ginis, Kathleen Anne
- Subjects
COLLEGE students' conduct of life ,HEALTH of college freshmen ,PLANNED behavior theory ,INTENTION ,EXERCISE - Abstract
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 (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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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