Background/Purpose There is limited research applying social cognitive theory to after-school interventions designed to increase physical activity (PA). More specifically, research has often neglected how these programs impact indices of psychological thriving in children. This study was designed to examine the effect of a sports-based after-school PA program on children's self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, social support, and daily PA levels.
Method A total of 130 seventh and eighth grade urban children were assigned to two groups: intervention group and comparison group. The intervention children participated in a 50-minute sports-based after-school PA program four times per week for eight weeks, while the comparison group did not participate in the program. Children's self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, social support, and PA levels were measured with standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention.
Analysis/Results Descriptive analysis indicated that children in the intervention group increased their PA levels, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and social support. MANCOVA yielded a significant main effect for intervention after controlling for the effect of sex, F(6,90)=2.14, p=.05, η2=.13. Follow-up tests indicated that children in the intervention group reported significantly greater increases self-efficacy (F(1,95)=3.98, p<.05, η2=.04) and peer support (F(1,95)=6.93, p<.05, η2=.07) than those in the comparison group.
Conclusions The findings indicate that children participating in an after-school PA program tend to have greater increased confidence in PA and increased perceived support from friends. Further research should examine the effects of after-school PA programs on the determinants of children's exercise behavior in accordance with social cognitive theory.