Scheduled for Pedagogy and Sociocultural Posters, Friday, April 2, 2004, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Session


What Lies Beneath? The Values and Barriers of Adult Levels of Physical Activity

Del Engstrom and Lorri Engstrom, Phoenixville, PA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific personal values and perceived barriers of adults that influence their level of physical activity. The subjects consisted of 107 volunteers who were either employed at a suburban liberal arts college in Southeastern Pennsylvania or were evening division students in the same institution. Physical activity was measured using the Francis Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall Survey. Five specific activity categories ranging from strenuous to mild levels of intensity were investigated. Values and barriers were measured using the Outcome-Expectancy Values for Physical Activity Survey which had 18 statements using a 5-point Likert Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows, 10.0. Frequency distributions were computed for each variable to determine potential errors in data input and to analyze the score distributions. Linear regression was used to analyze variable contributions to the prediction equations. The contribution of each independent variable was determined for predicting levels of physical activity. F to enter was set at .05 and F to remove was .10. It was discovered that the physical activity levels of adults could be moderately predicted on the basis of specific personal values and perceived barriers to activity. Two values were identified as predictors of strenuous levels of physical activity, R square = .471. The values included “improved mental alertness” (positively related) and “other peoples respect of my athletic skill” (inversely related). Three values were predictors of strenuous discontinuous activity, R square = .659. The value “to maintain or lose weight” was inversely related while the values “competition” and “improved health” were positively related. The value “to stay in shape” was the lone value (inversely related) that predicted moderate levels of physical activity. Four values were predictors of mild levels of physical activity, R square = .322. The values “to stay in shape” and “the thrill of victory” were inversely related while the values “sense of being a member of a team” and “other peoples respect for my athletic skills” were positively related. The American way of life is characterized by an abundance of inactive lifestyles that promote health issues that lead to premature death. Shell (2003) reported, being “overweight was the most common and costly nutritional disorder of the 21st century, affecting, 1.1 billion adults” (p.3). Understanding the values that promote physical activity and combat obesity is imperative for educators and health professionals in today’s society.
Keyword(s): adult fitness, exercise/fitness, physical activity

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