Factors Predicting Behavioral Response to a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescent Females

• Published in: American journal of health behavior Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 411 - 422
• Main Authors: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund, Schneider, Margaret, Cooper, Dan M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States PNG Publications 01-07-2007
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Behavior Change; Female; Females; Health Behavior; Health Education - methods; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Individual Characteristics; Internet; Intervention; Leisure Activities - psychology; Leisure Time; Life Style; Motor Activity - physiology; Physical Activities; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Fitness; Predictor Variables; School Health Services; Social Support
• ISSN: 1087-3244
• DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.31.4.8

Objective: To determine whether individual factors influenced rates of physical activity change in response to a school-based intervention. Methods: Sedentary adolescent females (N = 63) participated in a 9-month physical activity program. Weekly levels of leisure-time physical activity were reported using an interactive website. Results: Change in vigorous activity was more positive among participants who had higher fitness and lower friend support at baseline. Change in moderate activity was more positive among participants who had lower fitness and external barriers, and higher internal barriers at baseline. Conclusions: Adolescent females responded differentially to a physical activity intervention depending on individual characteristics.