A Longitudinal Study of the Impact of Childhood and Adolescent Physical Activity Experiences on Adult Physical Activity Perceptions and Behaviors

Abstract

The authors describe the influence of childhood and adolescent physical activity on adult physical activity attitudes and behaviors. They conducted one-on-one, semistructured, indepth interviews with 16 men and 15 women from a longitudinal growth and development study and a follow-up investigation 25 years later. They used thematic analyses to analyze the data. Three themes emerged from the men's interviews: significant others, size and maturation, and physical ability, with clear distinctions among the active, average, and inactive men. The themes transitions, body image concerns, and significant others influenced the active, average, and inactive women. Specific relationships, circumstances, and attitudes formed in childhood and adolescence influenced adult physical activity predilection and behaviors.

An exploratory study of the factors that influence physical activity for prostate cancer survivors

“…The results of this study indicate that men who had a history of participation in physical activity tended to resume the same level of activity following treatment. In young, middle-aged and older adults, past and recent history of engaging in regular physical activity was a predictor of current and future behaviour [42][43][44]. Most of the participants in the current study had a history of participation in physical activity and it would be of interest to examine the change in levels of physical activity for those who were not physically active prior to diagnosis.…”

Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity and Related Factors in Spanish University Students

“…Regarding internal, fatigue-laziness has been the most highlighted barrier, as was the case in studies with university students in Turkey [31] Malaysia [32] and also Spain [20] [30]. A feasible explanation about this internal perceptions results complex and as it is suggested by some investigations possibly rather more related with the contribution of the school programs of PA to maintain positive attitude towards PA [33] than with the pre-adolescent fitness level [34]. Gender, namely being female, was associated with having more perceived barriers and different studies had confirm that those people perceiving more barriers to PA have more probabilities of becoming inactive [35].…”

Determinants of Physical Activity in an Inclusive Setting

“…When individuals with disabilities are included in GPE classes as scorekeepers, timers, or cheerleaders, they are cheated of an opportunity to be physically active and learn. Negative repercussions of such a scenario at an early age have been shown to depressingly affect perceptions of physical activity in individuals as they grow older (Thompson, Humbert, & Mirwald, 2003).…”