Correlates of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Exercise Motivation in Underserved African American Men

Abstract

Effective interventions are needed to increase physical activity (PA) in African American men, but little is known about correlates of PA and exercise motivation in this population. Using an ecological approach that considers cognitive, social, and environmental factors, correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and exercise motivation in underserved African American men were examined. Greater exercise motivation, greater social support for exercise, and more favorable environmental perceptions were hypothesized to be associated with higher MVPA, and greater social support and environmental perceptions were hypothesized to be associated with higher exercise motivation. This secondary analysis used baseline data from the Positive Action for Today’s Health (PATH) trial. African American men ( n = 166, aged 48 ± 15 years) completed surveys that assessed cognitive, social, and environmental factors theoretically relevant to MVPA. Accelerometers were used to obtain a 7-day estimate of MVPA. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that exercise motivation was positively associated with MVPA ( B = 1.15, SE = .41, p = .006). Exercise attitudes ( B = .16, SE = .07, p = .037), exercise self-concept ( B = .28, SE = .06, p < .001), exercise support from friends ( B = .12, SE = .06, p = .048), and places for walking and cycling ( B = .13, SE = .06, p = .032) were positively associated with exercise motivation. Interventions that improve exercise motivation and associated variables may be warranted to increase MVPA in underserved African American men. ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01025726

Cultivating an Active Living Plan Through a Social-Ecological Evaluation

“…Specifically, Sallis et al10 provide an SEM of active living operationalized in 4 primary domains: (1) intrapersonal; (2) interpersonal; (3) physical behavior settings or the built environment; and (4) policy 10. The intrapersonal domain includes PA correlates such as sense of control, personal barriers to PA, self-efficacy, and individual-level demographics 11–17. The interpersonal domain accounts for factors such as social support, social norms, and social networks 18–23.…”

“…10 The intrapersonal domain includes PA correlates such as sense of control, personal barriers to PA, self-efficacy, and individual-level demographics. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The interpersonal domain accounts for factors such as social support, social norms, and social networks. [18][19][20][21][22][23] The physical behavioral setting and built environment domain includes elements such as walkability, accessibility to PA resources, safety, and quality of PA resources.…”