An extended version of the theory of planned behaviour: the role of self-efficacy and past behaviour in predicting the physical activity of Chinese adolescents

Examining the impact of perceived behavioral control and planning on closing the exercise intention-behavior gap: Insights from a meta-analytic structural equation modeling study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the roles of perceived behavioral control (PBC), action planning, and coping planning in bridging the gap between exercise intention and behavior. By using a Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Model (MASEM), we quantify the specific effects of these variables and explore their mediating roles in the relationships between intention, PBC, and behavior. The study provides insights into how these constructs contribute to informing effective behavioral intervention strategies.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the correlation effect sizes between variables in the model, and MASEM was employed to examine the interrelationships among multiple variables. Data from 57 samples across 49 studies, with a total sample size of 19,883, were analyzed. We constructed an aggregated correlation matrix and performed path analysis using structural equation modeling. AMOS 26.0 software was used to estimate model parameters, including path coefficients, standard errors, and various model fit indices.

RESULTS

The results indicate that behavioral intention serves as a key predictor of behavior, showing a significant positive direct effect (β = 0.416, p < 0.001). Intention also significantly predicts both action planning (β = 0.439, p < 0.001) and coping planning (β = 0.360, p < 0.001), though its impact on behavior is mediated differently by these two forms of planning. Mediation analysis further revealed that intention indirectly predicts behavior through coping planning (β = 0.067, p < 0.001), while the mediation effect through action planning was not significant (β = -0.001, p > 0.05). PBC played multiple roles: it directly predicts behavior (β = 0.106, p < 0.001), indirectly predicts behavior through intention (β = 0.282, p < 0.001), and further mediates behavior through intention and coping planning (β = 0.046, p < 0.001), as well as through coping planning alone (β = 0.032, p < 0.001). Additionally, the mediation effect of PBC on behavior through action planning was statistically significant but negligible (β = 0.000, p = 0.003), reinforcing the stronger role of coping planning in driving behavior change.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the important roles of behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control in promoting physical activity while challenging the effectiveness of focusing solely on action planning. The findings suggest that although action planning does not significantly impact behavior, coping planning plays a critical role in behavior implementation. By integrating action planning and coping planning, comprehensive behavioral intervention strategies can more effectively bridge the intention-behavior gap and promote sustained physical activity.

A staged integrated model informing the promotion of healthy dietary behaviors in adolescents: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

The promotion of healthy dietary behaviors in adolescence is critical, which have long-term implications for lifelong health. Integration is an important method for improving limited theories of dietary behavior change. The present study proposes an integrated model aimed at identifying the diverse determinants of healthy dietary behaviors in adolescents and assesses its stage-specific nature as the potential for effective interventions.

METHODS

A two-year prospective study was conducted in southwest China, involving a sample of 1990 adolescents (mean age: 15.06 years) from two randomly selected secondary schools. A total of 765 adolescents were exposed to the three-phase interventions while 1225 adolescents participated as the control group. The interventions aimed to promote healthy dietary behaviors in adolescents, which included health education sessions and health handbooks targeting specific constructs of the integrated model. The follow-up surveys after corresponding interventions were performed every six months. Self-reported frequency of healthy dietary behaviors, psychological constructs integrated from Health Action Process Approach, Health Belief Model, and Theory of Planned Behavior, as well as anxiety symptoms were measured.

RESULTS

Within structural equation modeling controlling for past behavior, the integrated model accounted for 61.7% variance of behavioral intentions and 19.1% variance of healthy dietary behaviors, and showed discontinuity patterns across behavior change phases. The pivotal constructs included outcome expectancies, perceived severity, subjective norms, action self-efficacy, behavioral intentions, action planning, and maintenance self-efficacy. Anxiety was an emotional barrier in the dietary behavior modification (β = -0.113, P < .001). Interventions within the staged integrated model, led to increased adoption of healthy dietary behaviors in intervention group compared to control group (33.40% vs. 25.70%, P < .05), indicating certain effectiveness, particularly in targeting action self-efficacy (stronger direct effects on behavioral intentions and maintenance self-efficacy, β = 0.489 to 0.704, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The staged integrated model provides a detailed understanding of the determinants of healthy dietary behaviors in adolescence, highlighting anxiety as an emotional barrier that impedes positive cognition and healthy dietary behaviors. It provides valuable guidance for future interventions targeting specific constructs across behavior change phases, with particular emphasis on enhancing action self-efficacy.

Efficacy of a theory-based and setting-based intervention in promoting strength training among older adults in Hong Kong: A clustered randomized controlled trial

The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of an intervention, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and social support, in promoting strength training (ST) among older adults. A two-arm clustered randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted among 235 older adults from eight elderly centers in Hong Kong. The intervention group engaged in a 6-month intervention comprising ST sessions, exercise consultations, social gatherings, and a buddy program, while the control group participated in social gatherings. Assessments were conducted at baseline (Month 0), post-intervention (Month 6), and 3-month follow-up (Month 9), with primary outcome being the prevalence of meeting the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations of ST. Results showed that the intervention group reported significantly higher prevalence of meeting ACSM recommendations for ST at both post-intervention and follow-up. Linear mixed models showed significant interaction effect between condition and time on perceived susceptibility of sarcopenia and muscle strength and significant condition effect on self-efficacy for ST, perceived severity of sarcopenia, perceived barriers of ST, and intention to perform ST. Findings suggest that the intervention, guided by HBM and social support, improves older adults' ST participation, muscle strength, perceptions on sarcopenia, and self-efficacy for ST, which offers great potential for broader application in other settings.

Does autonomous motivation and self-efficacy mediate associations between environmental factors and physical activity in adolescents?

BACKGROUND

To analyze the associations among autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, social support and perceived environment with physical activity practice of adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years; and to test autonomous motivations and self-efficacy as potential mediators of the associations between these environmental factors and physical activity practice.

METHODS

We evaluated 553 adolescents, that participated in the ActTeens Program. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, parents' social support and perceived environment were assessed using specifics questionnaires. Linear regression models were used to test the associations.

RESULTS

Parents' support (β = 0.32), satisfaction of basic psychological needs of colleagues (β = 0.21) and teachers (β = 0.12), and perceived environment (β = 0.10) had significant associations with physical activity (p < 0.05). The direct effect value was reduced when autonomous motivation was added as a mediator of the association between parents' support and physical activity (β = 0.24), with a 25% mediated effect. Autonomous motivation was mediator of the relationship between basic psychological needs of colleagues (β = 0.13; EM = 38%), teachers (β = 0.02; EM = 83%), and perceived environment (β = 0.03; EM = 70%) with physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Self-efficacy was not associated with physical activity and autonomous motivation was an important mediator of adolescents' physical activity.

How Social Media Algorithms Shape Offline Civic Participation: A Framework of Social-Psychological Processes

Even though social media platforms have created opportunities for more efficient and convenient civic participation, they are unlikely to bring about social change if the online actions do not propagate to offline civic participation. This article begins by reviewing the meta-analytic evidence on the relation between social media use and offline civic participation. Following this discussion, we present a theoretical framework that incorporates the attitudinal, motivational, and relational processes that may mediate the effect of social media use on offline civic participation. The framework highlights how social media algorithms may shape attitudes on important societal issues, promote generalized action goals among habitual users, and build social capital. We further discuss factors that may strengthen or undermine each of these processes, suggest ways to design and implement algorithms that may promote offline civic participation, and propose questions for future research.

Classroom intervention to improve behavioral intention toward regular physical activity among adolescents

Background

During adolescence, a critical phase in human life, the groundwork for a healthful future is established. Physical inactivity poses a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related mortality worldwide. To assess adolescents' behavioral intentions regarding regular physical activity, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) examines 'Attitude,' 'Subjective norm,' and 'Perceived behavioral control.' Utilizing TPB, this study focuses on evaluating the impact of a school-based health promotion intervention on behavioral intentions toward physical activity among urban adolescents in West Bengal, India.

Methods

A school-based nonrandomized controlled interventional study with parallel group design was conducted among adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years. Behavioral intention towards performing regular physical activity was determined with the measurements of the constructs from the TPB. Cluster analysis was conducted using measurements from both the intervention and control groups. Participants with higher mean scores in the constructs were classified as intenders, while the rest were considered non-intenders. The intervention's impact was evaluated by calculating the Relative Risk (RR) through a generalized linear model with robust standard error estimates, to ascertain the probability of belonging to the higher intention cluster.

Result

Following the intervention, construct-wise scores improved significantly, particularly the perceived behavioral control mean score in the intervention group. The Relative Risk (RR) of becoming an intender for regular physical activity in the intervention group was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.04-1.48) when compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Health Promoting Schools has been recognized as a strategic and cost-effective vehicle to promote positive development and healthful living, and the current evidence suggests they can effectively reduce the emergence of significant NCD risk factor like physical inactivity. Schools must establish strong partnerships with diverse stakeholders to address barriers beyond the school environment and enhance their control over critical issues.

Exploring adolescent participation in football: a gender-differentiated structural equation model based on the theory of planned behavior

This paper explores the intersection of gender and sports participation in adolescence, focusing on traditionally male-dominated sports like football. We aim to develop a structural model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine gender-differentiated patterns and factors influencing adolescent participation in football. We analyzes data from 1,147 adolescents using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that a blend of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and past behavior effectively predicts adolescents' willingness to engage in football. Moreover, the study investigates the roles of perceived behavioral control, past behavior, and behavioral intentions in actual football participation, uncovering significant gender disparities in the progression from past behavior to intentions and subsequent behavior. This research highlights the complex role of gender in football participation and provides strategic insights for increasing girls' involvement in the sport. Our study sets the stage for future research on enhancing girls' participation in football.

Menopause as a window of opportunity: the benefits of designing more effective theory-driven behaviour change interventions to promote healthier lifestyle choices at midlife

Menopause is a natural developmental phase that all women go through from their early forties to mid-fifties, marking the transition from the reproductive to the non-reproductive years. This is characterised as the permanent cessation of menses due to progressive ovarian failure. Each woman's experience of the menopause is unique. Biopsychosocial changes occur during this time with some symptoms affecting up to 80 % of women and lasting for 4-5 years from the peri- to post-menopause. Reduced oestrogen may predispose some women to health issues following menopause, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cognitive decline. It is vital to understand how to promote health and well-being to reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions in later life. Increased symptoms and concerns about health during the menopausal transition can be cues to action for some women to actively maintain their health. Menopause represents a window of opportunity to promote health, and to support women to make healthier lifestyle choices, part of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines for menopause management. Identifying appropriate strategies to change behaviour is less clear. Theories of behaviour change can provide frameworks to gain more insight into the facilitators and barriers to behaviour and can inform the researcher on what needs to change. This information can be used to inform the design, content, implementation and evaluation of a lifestyle intervention. This review paper will explore the impact of menopause on health and well-being generally, and the benefits of designing more effective theory-driven behaviour change interventions for menopause.

Effects of physical health beliefs on college students' physical exercise behavior intention: mediating effects of exercise imagery

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the relationship between physical health beliefs and physical exercise behavior intention of college students and constructs a mediation model through the mediation role of exercise imagery.

METHODS

Using the stratified cluster sampling method, 1356 college students were measured in group psychology by using the Physical Health Beliefs Scale, Exercise Imagery Inventory, and Physical Exercise Behavior Intention Scale. The statistical software Mplus 8.1, SPSS 22.0 and SPSS PROCESS 3.3 were used for statistical processing. The common method deviation test was carried out by Harman single-factor control method. Finally, the bootstrap sampling test method and process plug-in were used to test the significance of intermediary effect.

RESULTS

(1) physical health beliefs have a significant predictive effect on physical exercise behavior intention (β = 0.32, p < 0.001); (2) exercise imagery (β = 0.13, p < 0.001) mediate the relationship between physical health beliefs and physical exercise behavior intention (physical health beliefs → exercise imagery → physical exercise behavior intention (95% Cl: 0.14, 0.32)).

CONCLUSION

physical health beliefs can directly improve the physical exercise behavior intention of college students, which can also affect college students' physical exercise behavior intention indirectly through exercise imagery. The findings suggest that exercise imagery are important variables that mediate the effect of the college students' physical health beliefs on their physical exercise behavior intention.

Does Cognitive Attitude Matter When Affective Attitude Is Negative in Physical Activity Behavior Change?

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine the moderation effects of affective attitude on the effects of cognitive attitude and intention on leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods: A total of 2100 undergraduate students completed validated instruments measuring their affective and cognitive attitude, intention to do MVPA, and leisure-time MVPA. Hierarchical regression analyses and Hayes' Process program (model 1 and model 58) were used to address the research questions. Results: The results showed that affective attitude significantly moderated the effects of cognitive attitude on MVPA. It suggested that when affective attitude was negative, the effect of cognitive attitude on MVPA was not significant; when it was positive, the higher the value of affective attitude score, the larger the effects of cognitive attitude on MVPA. The results also showed that affective attitude significantly moderated the effect of intention on MVPA and the indirect effects of cognitive attitude on MVPA through intention. It suggested that the higher the value of the affective attitude, the larger the effects of intention on MVPA and the larger the indirect effects of cognitive attitude on MVPA through intention. Conclusions:These results indicate that the moderating role of affective attitude in behavior change is important and should be considered for future theory development on the relationship between attitude and behavior. Practically, it suggests that people's affective attitude should be first understood and addressed when designing PA promotion programs.

Do Chinese viewers watch e-sports games for a different reason? Motivations, attitude, and team identification in predicting e-sports online spectatorship

Introduction

Understanding factors that predict the intention of e-sports game online spectatorship has drawn a great deal of scholarly attention. Prior work on this topic has primarily focused on explaining the mediation mechanism between the spectator motivations and behavioral intention, such as attitude and subjective well-being, while overlooking the specific role of team identification and satisfaction with past experience, which were understudied in the previous studies but also prominent in the context of e-sports spectatorship. Besides, previous research was mainly conducted in a Western context; therefore, little was known about the online e-sports audience in China and their motivations to view e-sports games on live-streaming platforms.

Methods

The current study thus aims to examine if and how these factors are related to the intention of watching e-sports games online by hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling.

Results

Results from a survey of 452 Chinese e-sports online audiences suggested that three motivations (skill improvement, entertainment, and friends bonding), attitude towards e-sports game online spectatorship, and satisfaction with past experience were positively related to watching intention. These motivations and satisfaction also positively influenced attitude, while socialization opportunity (one of the motivations) negatively influenced attitude. Furthermore, team identification negatively moderated the relationship between satisfaction with past experience and behavioral intention. Also, attitude mediated the association between motivations, satisfaction, and behavioral intention.

Discussion

In general, our study identifies the motivations that relate to Chinese e-sports viewers' attitude as well as their watching intention, and underscores the role of satisfaction with past experience, attitude, and team identification in the context of e-sports. These findings contribute to deriving a holistic view of e-sports game online spectatorship.

Investigating Links between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Status in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Psychosocial Stress

Adolescence represents a crucial phase, characterized by rapid physical and mental development and numerous challenges. Physical activity plays a vital role in the mental well-being of adolescents; however, due to the prevailing educational philosophy prioritizing academic performance, adolescent participation in physical activities has yet to reach its full potential. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on adolescents' emotional intelligence, psychosocial stress, and self-rated health status. To achieve this objective, a cluster sampling method was employed to collect data from 600 adolescents in 10 schools across five municipal districts of Changsha, China. A total of 426 valid questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Utilizing AMOS v.23, a structural equation model was constructed to validate the hypotheses. The findings reveal that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly impacts adolescents' emotional intelligence and self-rated health status. Conversely, it exerts a significant negative influence on their psychosocial stress. Moreover, emotional intelligence and psychosocial stress mediate the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and self-rated health status. In light of these results, education departments, schools, and families must embrace a paradigm shift in educational philosophies and provide robust support for adolescents to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activities.

Healthy physical education curriculum model and students’ extracurricular sports participation ——test based on the trans-contextual model of motivation

Background

In recent years, the mental health level and physical activity level of Chinese teenagers are not ideal, and all sectors of society are actively reversing this bad situation. The purpose of this study is to test the influence of healthy physical education curriculum model on middle school students’ extracurricular sports participation based on the trans-contextual model of motivation (TCM).

Methods

The trial adopts quasi-experimental design comparing equivalent groups. The experimental group adopted the healthy physical education curriculum model in physical education (PE), and the control group adopted the technical-traditional teaching. During the 12 weeks intervention, 327 junior school freshmen completed the test of TCM variables four times as the pre-test, test 2, test 3 and post-test of this experimental study.

Results

After the intervention, students’ perceived need support in PE, autonomous motivation in PE, autonomous motivation in leisure time (LT)and the amount of extracurricular sports activities in the experimental group have increased significantly. The perceived need support of experimental group students can predict autonomous motivation in PE positively (β = 0.385, P<.001); Autonomous motivation in PE can predict autonomous motivation in LT positively (β = 0.462, P<.001); Autonomous motivation in LT can predict the intention of extracurricular sports participation positively, and the direct effect was significant (β = 0.172, P<.01), the total indirect effect was significant (β = 0.382, P<.001), the indirect effect of subjective norms was not significant (P>.05); Extracurricular sports participation intention can predict the amount of extracurricular sports activities positively (β = 0.327, P<.001).

Conclusions

The structural characteristics of healthy physical education curriculum model provide need support for students’ learning, improve students’ autonomous motivation in and out of PE, and finally promote students’ participation in extracurricular sports.

Associations between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status in Chinese children and adolescents

Background and objective

The high prevalence of obesity is a serious problem, and sleep is considered to be a factor for obesity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep duration, sleep quality, and weight status among children and adolescents in China and to explore whether the relationship between sleep duration and weight status is independent of sleep quality. Sex and age differences were also explored.

Methods

A cross-sectional research was conducted among 2019 children and adolescents (1029 boys and 990 girls) aged 8–16 years in Shanghai. An open-question was used to obtain data on sleep duration, which was categorized into the following four groups based on the age-specific National Sleep Foundation Sleep Duration Recommendations: 1) very short, 2) short, 3) recommended, and 4) long. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Weight and height were measured for all participants. The variable weight status was estimated with the Chinese children and adolescent age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) and was categorized into overweight/obesity and normal weight.

Results

Short sleep duration (7–8 and 6–7 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively) significantly increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64) compared with that of the recommended sleep duration (9–11 and 8–10 h for 6–13 and 14–16 years old, respectively). The relationship between the two variables existed independent of sleep quality. No significant relationship was found between sleep quality and overweight/obesity of children and adolescents. Sleep quality (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14) and short sleep duration (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.13) increased the risk for overweight/obesity among girls, whereas no significant relationships between sleep duration, sleep quality, and overweight/obesity were found among boys. Short sleep duration increased the risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 8–13 years (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05–1.71), independent of sleep quality, but no significant relationships between these two variables existed for adolescents aged 14–16 years.

Conclusions

Overall, short sleep duration increased the risks of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in China, independent of sleep quality. This relationship is significant for girls and children aged 8–13 years instead of boys and adolescents aged 14–16 years. Interventions to extend the sleep duration of children and adolescents, especially girls and children aged 8–13 years in China, are necessary to improve their weight status.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13534-w.

Understanding Physical Activity and Exercise Behavior in China University Students: An Application of Theories of the Flow and Planned Behavior

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine a extended model of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model by adding the variables of the flow theory and to investigate Chinese university students' exercise behavior and its influence factors.

Methods

The hypothesized model was validated through testing three competing models using a sample collected from 248 Chinese university students involving 165 males and 83 females.

Results

The three competitive models fitted well and predicted exercise behavior significantly. Among them, the enjoyment + TPB model is the optimal model.

Conclusions

Enjoyment and concentration can all predicting exercise behavior directly or indirectly. Enjoyment is stronger than concentration in predicting TPB constructs and exercise behavior, and it is a more important predictor than concentration in the field of exercise behavior research. Values. Research provides insights to better understand the exercise behavior of Chinese university students as well as useful information for designing exercise interventions and developing university students' education and training.

Intentions of preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy by gender among unmarried college students in Korea: a cross-sectional study

Background

Early adulthood is a significant period for preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy. However, previous public health initiatives have not yet emphasized preparation for a healthy pregnancy in this population. In addition, pregnancy planning has traditionally been regarded as women’s responsibility, so intervention strategies may differ by gender. This study explored intentions of preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy among unmarried college students, as well as factors influencing those intentions, by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model.

Methods

For this cross-sectional survey, 828 unmarried college students aged 18–29 were recruited from a national university in Korea from July to September 2019. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare gender differences in general characteristics, the current level of depression, and constructs of the extended TPB. Hierarchical regression was performed to identify factors influencing the intention of preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy.

Results

The intention to manage depression was significantly higher in men than in women (t = 2.36, p = 0.019). The factors affecting the intention of preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy were components of TPB in both women and men, of which self-efficacy had the greatest effect (female: β = 0.34, p < 0.001, male: β = 0.30, p < 0.001). The current level of depression was a significant factor for women only (β = 0.10, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

Our study results underscore the need for nurses to perform preventive interventions and provide directions to develop interventions to improve the intention of depression management for unmarried college students. It is necessary to intervene with all the constructs of the TPB, especially self-efficacy, for both men and women. It is also important to check and address the current depression status of unmarried female college students.

Starting in early adulthood, such as college students in the preconception stage, it is necessary to take care of one’s mental health (including depression) in order to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. The early identification of adults needing depression management is also a major challenge. In this study, an online survey was conducted to investigate levels of depression among Korean college students and their intention to manage depression for a healthy future pregnancy, as well as to identify the influencing factors.

Convenience recruitment was conducted by e-mail at one university in Korea, and 828 male and female college students responded to the survey. An analysis of the factors affecting the intention to manage depression for a healthy future pregnancy identified the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior as influencing factors in both men and women. In particular, self-efficacy had the greatest influence. However, the current level of depression was only a significant factor among women.

These findings could help nurses recognize differences in gender characteristics for the intention of preventive depression management for a healthy pregnancy, and provide evidence to develop and implement the intervention. These efforts will ultimately reduce high-risk pregnancies due to poor mental health.

Testing the Effectiveness of the Health Belief Model in Predicting Preventive Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Romania and Italy

We use a cultural psychology approach to examine the relevance of the Health Belief Model (HBM) for predicting a variety of behaviors that had been recommended by health officials during the initial stages of the COVID-19 lockdown for containing the spread of the virus and not overburdening the health system in Europe. Our study is grounded in the assumption that health behavior is activated based on locally relevant perceptions of threats, susceptibility and benefits in engaging in protective behavior, which requires careful attention to how these perceptions might be structured and activated. We assess the validity of the HBM in two European countries that have been relatively understudied, using simultaneous measurements during acute periods of infection in Romania and Italy. An online questionnaire provided a total of (N = 1863) valid answers from both countries. First, to understand individual difference patterns within and across populations, we fit a General Linear Model in which endorsement was predicted by behavior, country, their interaction, and a random effect for participants. Second, we assess the effect of demographics and health beliefs on prevention behaviors by fitting a multi-group path model across countries, in which each behavior was predicted by the observed health belief variables and demographics. Health beliefs showed stronger relationships with the recommended behaviors than demographics. Confirming previously reported relationships, self-efficacy, perceived severity, and perceived benefits were consistently related to the greater adoption of individual behaviors, whereas greater perceived barriers were related to lower adoption of health behaviors. However, we also point to important location specific effects that suggest that local norms shape protective behavior in highly contextualized ways.

Self-Efficacy, Exercise Anticipation and Physical Activity in Elderly: Using Bayesian Networks to Elucidate Complex Relationships

AIM

To explore the correlation of exercise anticipation, self-efficacy and lower limb function in the elderly, and identify active predictors of exercise. The time up and go (TUG) has been used to access basic mobility skills, as well as strength, balance and agility, which is used in a range of population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey approach was employed in this study, assessing the functional relationship of the level of exercise anticipation, modified gait efficacy scale (mGES), self-efficacy for exercise scale (SEE), perceived efficacy of patient-physician interactions (PEPPI-10), behavioral regulation in exercise questionnaire (BREQ), and the time up and go (TUG) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Consequently, we constructed the Bayesian network model utilizing Genie 2.3, in order to effectively determine clear negative and positive correlations.

RESULTS

This investigation incorporated a total of 285 patients. The results of Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the TUG effectively correlated with age (r = 0.158, P < 0.01), drinking (r=-0.362, P < 0.01), mGES (r=-0.254, P < 0.01), PEPPI (r=-0.329, P < 0.01), SEE (r =-0.408, P < 0.01), BREQ (r = 0.676, P < 0.01), EA (r =-0.688, P < 0.01) and IPAQ (r =-0.742, P < 0.01). TUG can be used as the direct influencing factor of IPA, and five nodes in the model can be considered the primary indirect influencing factors of TUG, such as drinking, EA, age, sex and mGES in Bayesian network. The sensitivity analysis of the model confirmed that TUG (0.059), drinking (0.087), EA (0.335), age (0.080), sex (0.164), mGES (0.028) and hypertension (0.030) can become the sensitivity evaluation indicators of IPAQ in the elderly community population, in which the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 59.6% (2207/3705), indicating a suitable prediction performance.

CONCLUSION

Exercise anticipation and life behavior habit can effectively predict physical activity capability in the elderly. These findings can help clinicians establish effective intervention to improve the physical activity regularly of the elderly.

From Physical Activity Intention to Behavior: The Moderation Role of Mental Toughness Among College Students and Wage Earners

This study explored the correlation between mental toughness (MT) and physical activity (PA), and the moderation role between PA intention and subsequent behavior among college students and wage earners. Five hundred ninety-one college students (251 male, 340 female) aged from 19 to 24 and 285 (157 male, 127 female) wage earners aged from 27 to 58 recruited from seven colleges and five cities in China. A Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) questionnaire, MT Inventory, and the International PA Questionnaire was completed online. Results showed that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control explained 46.5 and 38.3% variance in PA intention among college students and wage earners separately. Intention predicted PA behavior significantly among college students and wage earners. Structural equation modeling indicated that the TPB model and the moderation model have an adequate to good fit except the TPB model among wage earners. MT was positively correlated with PA among college students and wage earners and had a significant moderation role in intention-behavior gap among college students and partially affected the transfer of PA intention to behavior among college students. Individuals with high MT had high levels of PA regardless of intention, while PA of those with low MT was low and unstable. Future research should further explore the correlation between intention and PA and the moderation role of MT in different populations using a longitudinal study in order to better understand the correlation between intention and PA, and the transition from intention to PA and better guidance PA intervention to promote PA.

Motivational climate, need satisfaction, self-determined motivation, and physical activity of students in secondary school physical education in China

BACKGROUND

On the basis of the integration constructs from self-determination theory (SDT) and achievement goal theory (AGT), this study aims to investigate the relationship among classroom motivational climate from four perspectives (i.e. autonomy support, relatedness support, task-involving climate and ego-involving climate), three psychological needs (i.e. autonomy, competence and relatedness), self-determined motivation and physical activity (PA) in secondary physical education (PE).

METHODS

Participants consisted of 1186 Chinese students aged 11 to 16 years from three secondary schools in Shanghai. Accelerometers were utilized to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Questionnaires were used to measure SDT variables (i.e. classroom motivational climate, perceived competence, autonomy, relatedness and self-determined motivation). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was adopted to analyse the hypothesised relationship.

RESULTS

SEM analysis revealed that task-involving climate and autonomy support were positively associated with autonomy, relatedness and competence. Relatedness support was positively related with autonomy and relatedness, whereas ego-involving climate was only associated with competence. The three psychological needs positively affected self-determined motivation, and self-determined motivation positively affected the MVPA time of secondary school students in PE lessons.

CONCLUSION

These findings support a model of motivation that integrates SDT and AGT, provides new insight into understanding MVPA in Chinese PE, and establishes a solid basis for intervention research.

Social-Ecological Analysis of the Factors Influencing Shanghai Adolescents' Table Tennis Skills: A Cross-Sectional Study

The main purpose of this study was to explore the factors that affect adolescents’ table tennis skills (ATTS) among adolescents in Shanghai from the social ecological perspective, including individual factors, social support, and physical environment. 1,526 students from Shanghai primary and secondary schools were included in this study (age = 12.31 ± 1.32 years). Participants completed a questionnaire based on social ecological theory after taking the ATTS test. A structural equation model was applied to test the relationships among the study variables. The relationship model incorporating individual factors, social support, physical environment, and ATTS test score fit the data well (χ² = 1415.754, χ²/df = 4.96, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.914; IFI = 0.930; NFI = 0.921; RMSEA = 0.032). The investigation results showed that social support and physical environment promote adolescents’ scores on the ATTS test. At all levels of social ecology, individual factors were the most important factors for the improvement of ATTS. The level impacting most significantly on ATTS was individual factors, followed by social support, and, finally, the physical environment. Therefore, cultivating intrinsic interest is an important way to facilitate the continuous activities of adolescents. In addition, friends should support each other, and parents should give adolescents appropriate encouragement regarding table tennis exercise. Schools should provide more table tennis facilities. PE teachers should respect adolescents’ ideas, listen to students’ opinions, and encourage them to participate in table tennis training.

The Influence of Social Support on Physical Activity in Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Exercise Self-Efficacy

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of social support and self-efficacy with physical Activity (PA) and the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between social support and PA in Chinese adolescents. Participants included a total of 2341 Chinese adolescents (aged 12.75 ± 1.46 years). Self-reported instruments, including the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents, the social support revalued scale and the exercise self-efficacy scale, were used to measure physical activity, social support and exercise self-efficacy. Results showed that social support (r = 0.29, p < 0.05) and exercise self-efficacy (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) were significant and positive predictors of PA among Chinese adolescents, and exercise self-efficacy was a significant mediator in the relationship between social support and PA (standardized effect size = 0.15, p < 0.001). Such findings were evident with similar patterns in both male and female adolescents. The findings of this study have indicated the importance of social support and exercise self-efficacy on PA promotion in adolescents, which will aid the development of effective interventions in this population.

Using Gamification and Social Incentives to Increase Physical Activity and Related Social Cognition among Undergraduate Students in Shanghai, China

Gamification and social incentives are promising strategies to increase the effectiveness of web-based physical activity (PA) interventions by improving engagement. In this study, we designed a PA intervention integrating gamification and social incentives based on the most popular social networking service in China, WeChat. A controlled trial involving 52 Chinese undergraduate students was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Subjects in the intervention group received a 7-week intervention. PA behavior and related social cognitive variables according to the theory of planned behavior were measured at the baseline and after the intervention. Daily physical activity duration was measured during the intervention. The results showed that PA-related subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention, as well as self-reported vigorous physical activity and moderate physical activity in the intervention group, were increased after the intervention, compared with the control group (p <0.05). During the intervention, perceived daily physical activity duration in the intervention group was on the rise, while it declined in the control group (p <0.001). The findings indicate that WeChat-based intervention integrating gamification and social incentives could effectively increase subjectively measured PA and related social cognition among Chinese undergraduate students and that it is a promising way to ameliorate the problem of insufficient PA among youths.

Relationship between the intention-behavior gap and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood

This study investigated the relationship of a gap between the intent to be physically active and actual participation in physical activity ('intention-behavior gap') and self-efficacy for physical activity during childhood. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect information from 946 children from the fourth and sixth grades in Japan on self-efficacy, intention, and physical activity. Children with an intention-behavior gap (high intent-low activity or low intent-high activity) had higher self-efficacy scores than those with low intent and low activity (27.66 or 27.65 vs. 21.69; p < .001). They had lower self-efficacy scores than those with high intent and high activity (27.66 or 27.65 vs. 30.56; p < .001). Children with an intention-behavior gap had lower self-efficacy for physical activity than those who intended to be and were physically active. Such children may benefit from education interventions that focus on improving self-efficacy.

Understanding physical activity behavior of Chinese female college students with/without vulnerable conditions: a theory of planned behavior perspective

Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examined the relationships between three constructs of TPB (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control [PBC]) and physical activity intention and behavior among Chinese female college students, and evaluated whether the relationships differed between healthy and vulnerable individuals within this population. Participants included 436 female college students (301 healthy and 135 vulnerable; Mean age = 19.24 years; SD = 0.97 years) recruited from five universities in China, and the data collection was completed in Fall 2015. Path analysis supported the direct and indirect relations of TPB constructs to physical activity intention and behavior among female college students, and the path model was invariant across the two groups. The vulnerable group reported significantly lower attitude, subjective norm, intention, and physical activity behavior than the healthy group but not for PBC. These findings suggest fostering positive attitudes and intention toward physical activity are important among Chinese female college students, regardless of their health status.

Factors of physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review

Background

Lack of physical activity is a growing problem in China, due to the fast economic development and changing living environment over the past two decades. The aim of this review is to summarize the factors related to physical activity in Chinese children and adolescents during this distinct period of development.

Methods

A systematic search was finished on Jan 10^th, 2017, and identified 2200 hits through PubMed and Web of Science. English-language published studies were included if they reported statistical associations between factors and physical activity. Adapted criteria from the Strengthening The Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and evaluation of the quality of prognosis studies in systematic reviews (QUIPS) were used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Related factors that were reported in at least three studies were summarized separately for children and adolescents using a semi-quantitative method.

Results

Forty two papers (published 2002–2016) were included. Most designs were cross-sectional (79%), and most studies used questionnaires to assess physical activity. Sample size was above 1000 in 18 papers (43%). Thirty seven studies (88%) showed acceptable quality by methodological quality assessment. Most studies reported a low level of physical activity. Boys were consistently more active than girls, the parental physical activity was positively associated with children and adolescents’ physical activity, children in suburban/rural regions showed less activity than in urban regions, and, specifically in adolescents, self-efficacy was positively associated with physical activity. Family socioeconomic status and parental education were not associated with physical activity in children and adolescents.

Conclusions

The studies included in this review were large but mostly of low quality in terms of study design (cross-sectional) and methods (questionnaires). Parental physical activity and self-efficacy are promising targets for future physical activity promotion programmes. The low level of physical activity raises concern, especially in suburban/rural regions. Future research is required to enhance our understanding of other influences, such as the physical environment, especially in early childhood.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-017-0486-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Longitudinal Relationships of Fitness, Physical Activity, and Weight Status With Academic Achievement in Adolescents

BACKGROUND

To examine associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity (PA) and weight status with academic achievement 1 year later. In addition, the mediating role of psychological variables was tested.

METHODS

Longitudinal analyses included 1011 German students (M = 14.1 years, SD = 0.6 years). Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined with the 20 m shuttle run test. Compliance with PA guidelines was assessed through questionnaire. Weight status was based on body mass index percentiles. As proxy of academic achievement students' self-reported grades in Mathematics and German in their midterm report were averaged. Mediation analyses were conducted at follow-up testing general self-efficacy, depressed affect, and attention/hyperactivity problems.

RESULTS

High levels of cardiorespiratory fitness predicted higher educational attainment (p = .007), while we found no longitudinal association for PA and weight status (p > .253). However, students being insufficiently physically active at baseline but meet PA guidelines at follow-up showed a significant improvement in educational attainment. The cross-sectional association between PA and academic achievement was mediated by students' general self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

High fitness in adolescence is associated with higher subsequent academic achievement. The promotion of PA might benefit school performance because of enhanced fitness levels in the long-term and positive influences of PA in the shortterm. The association between weight status and educational attainment remains controversial.