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

• Published in: American journal of health behavior 2007-07, Vol.31 (4), p.411-422, Article 411
• Main Authors: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund, Schneider, Margaret, Cooper, Dan. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescent Females; Adolescent girls; Adolescents; Behavior Change; Cardiovascular Fitness; Educational Environment; Female; Females; Fitness; Grade 11; Health Behavior; Health Education - methods; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Individual Characteristics; Internet; Intervention; Interventions; Leisure Activities - psychology; Leisure Time; Life Style; Motor Activity - physiology; Physical Activities; Physical Activity; Physical Education; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Fitness; Predictor Variables; Psychosocial Factors; School based; School Health Services; School-Based Intervention; Social Support
• ISSN: 1087-3244; 1945-7359
• 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.