title: A prospective study of the determinants of physical activity in rural fifth-grade children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding the factors that influence physical activity behavior is important in the design of intervention programs targeted at youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study design was used to identify the predictors of vigorous physical activity (VPA) (> or = 6 METs) and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (> or = 3 METs) among 202 rural, predominantly African-American children. Selected social-cognitive determinants of physical activity were assessed via questionnaire in the fifth grade. Participation in VPA and MVPA was assessed via the previous day physical activity recall 1 year later in the sixth grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For girls, participation in community sports, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers, enjoyment of school physical education, race (white > black), and perception of mother's activity level (active vs inactive) were significant predictors of VPA. For MVPA, participation in community sports and self-efficacy in overcoming barriers were significant predictors. For boys, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers was the only significant predictor of VPA, while beliefs regarding activity outcomes and participation in community sports were significant predictors of MVPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social-cognitive constructs such as physical activity self-efficacy, access to community physical activity outlets, and positive beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes are important predictors of future physical activity behavior among rural, predominantly African-American children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Trost
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Pate
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dowda
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Felton
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013022:South Carolina; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*