Naturally-occurring changes in social-cognitive factors modify change in physical activity during early adolescence.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine whether naturally-occurring changes in children's motives and beliefs are associated with the steep decline in physical activity observed from childhood to early adolescence.

Methods

Latent growth modeling was applied in longitudinal tests of social-cognitive influences, and their interactions, on physical activity in a large cohort of boys and girls evaluated annually between 5th and 7th grades.

Results

Measurement equivalence of motives and beliefs was confirmed between boys and girls. After adjustment for gender and maturity differences, physical activity declined less in children who reported the least decreases in self-efficacy for overcoming barriers to activity and perceived parental support. Physical activity also declined less in students

SUBMITTER: Dishman RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5302819 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature