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The study's purpose was to identify the mediating role of intention and the stages of change (SOC) in physical activity (PA) over a 6-month period using two models (theory of planned behavior [TPB] and TPB/SOC). Participants were 143 adults with physical disabilities (70.68% response rate; M age = 46.03). The TPB constructs, SOC (time 1), and PA (time 2) were assessed using standardized self-report questionnaires. Based on path analyses, attitude had the highest effect on intention and SOC followed by perceived behavioral control within both well-fit models. The variance in PA explained by the first (TPB) and second (TPB/SOC) models was 16% and 28% respectively. In the just identified model of TPB/SOC, the direct effect of SOC on physical activity remained strong (gamma(soc.pa) = .45) and SOC approached full mediation through attitude. Health promotion interventions need to include both intention and behavior elements (SOC) reinforcing increased PA value and barrier elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity is associated with longer life expectancy, increased quality of life, and the number of years of healthy life; however, only 15% of American adults achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, with minorities, older adults, and people with low-income levels being most inactive (USDHHS, 2000). Based on the theory of planned behavior, a person's beliefs about physical activity may help explain their participation. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the number of behavioral beliefs (i.e., advantages and disadvantages), normative beliefs (i.e., people who approve or disapprove), and control beliefs (i.e., barriers and facilitators) for physical activity following a 16-week home-based physical activity program in a group of culturally diverse older adults. Participants were 48 adults age 50 to 93 years (71% Black, 56% < high school education, 65% < $20,000 annually) who were randomly assigned to receive standard education (n = 24) or culturally sensitive education (n = 24) materials about the principles of physical activity. The program began with a home visit that included the education component and a physical activity demonstration followed by 16 weeks of home-based physical activity. Physical activity beliefs were elicited using six open-ended questions before and after participating in the program and individual beliefs were determined by frequency counts. Repeated measures with Bonferroni correction revealed no significant changes from pre- to postprogram in beliefs across groups for advantages of physical activity (p = .33), disadvantages of physical activity (p = .91), people who approve of physical activity (p = .56), people who disapprove of physical activity (p = .76), barriers to physical activity (p = .05), or enabling factors of physical activity (p = 1.0). Results indicate that participation in a 16-week home-based physical activity program did not change the physical activity beliefs of culturally diverse older adults; however, lack of statistical power is a limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]