Predicting physical activity of first-year university students: an application of the theory of planned behavior.
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.


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 > or =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.
Wing Kwan
Matthew Yiu
MY
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. matty.kwan@utoronto.ca
Bray
Steven Russell
SR
Martin Ginis
Kathleen Anne
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002170:Canada; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009043:Motor Activity; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011594:Psychometrics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities