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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relative contribution of selected determinants relative to adolescents' intent to engage in physical activity. The determinants of intent to adopt a behavior were behavior (b), intention to exercise (I), attitude (Aact), and subjective norm (SN) from the Fishbein Model of Human Behavior (Fishbein, 1967).
The theoretical model was applied to self-reported data collected from students attending seven Nebraska middle and high schools. Parents of students completing the questionnaire were requested to complete a similar questionnaire on physical activity, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
Data were analyzed for the 345 students of both genders in grades 7, 9, and 11. The variables for analysis included genders, physical activity behaviors, and components of the Fishbein model of behavior prediction. Means and standard deviations were computed for each variable for descriptive purposes. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regressions were used to analyze the data.
The results did not fully support the theoretical model for human behavior proposed by Fishbein. Attitude (Aact) consistently explained a significant (p $<$.01) fraction of the variance in intentions to exercise. The normative structure component $\Sigma$NB $\cdot$ MC of the Fishbein model failed to explain the subjective norm (SN) of the students tested.
Forty-four percent of the variance in intention to exercise was explained by attitude and subjective norm. The parents' variables, such as intentions, current physical activity habits, or prior experience did not significantly (p $>$.01) contribute to the explanation of intentions to exercise.
Despite limitations of the model investigated, a substantial amount of information was obtained about intentions to exercise and exercise-related beliefs held by a sampling of Nebraska students. Students' attitude toward the behavior had an impact on behavioral intentions to exercise.
