The impact of a fitness/wellness course on psychobehavioral factors

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Authors
Loughren, Elizabeth A.
Advisor
Pauline, Jeffrey S.
Issue Date
2003
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
School of Physical Education
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Today American society is becoming more sedentary than any other generation before. This shift in society has shown a decrease in exercise activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychobehavioral factors in relation to exercise adherence and well being. Participants (N= 80) were self-selected based upon one's enrollment into one of eight selected Physical Education Fitness Wellness (PEFWL) walking courses. This study employed a pretest-intervention-post-test quasi-experimental design, which evaluated barriers to habitual physical activity, demographics, exercise decisional balance, exercise enjoyment, exercise processes of change, stages of change for adopting physical activity, and social support in relation to current exercise patterns via a 128-item online questionnaire. Data was analyzed using 2 x 2 (Stage x Time) ANOVA and dependent t-tests with a level of significance set at p <.05. The results indicated there was a significant increase in self-efficacy from pre to post testing. No significant differences were found in pre and post testing levels of exercise enjoyment, decisional balance, social support, and the pros and cons of decisional balance in relation to physical activity parameters.

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