Effects of strategies to promote children's physical activity on potential mediators

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review evidence of the effectiveness of interventions that present physical activity outcomes and potential mediators of behavioural change among 4-12-year-old children. A systematic search of electronic databases for original research articles published in peer-review journals between January 1985 and the end of June 2006 was carried out. A total of 19 studies that reported intervention effects on physical activity and mediators of behavioural change were identified. The most common mediators reported included physical activity knowledge or beliefs (11 studies); self-efficacy (8 studies); and enjoyment or preference for physical activity (6 studies). Less frequently reported mediators included attitudes, behavioural capability, intentions, outcome expectancies, social norms, social support and self-concept. Seven of the 11 interventions that reported intervention effects on knowledge/beliefs stated positive changes in this mediator. Four of the eight studies that reported intervention effects on self-efficacy had significant improvements; however, only two out of six interventions reported significant improvements in physical activity enjoyment or preference. None of the studies reviewed reported whether changes in these constructs mediated changes in children's physical activity behaviours. Although more than half of the studies reviewed reported a positive intervention effect on children's physical activity, no study carried out a mediating analysis to attempt to identify the mechanisms of change. Future research should more clearly identify the mediators of behavioural change that are being targeted and whether this explains intervention effects.

Mediation effects of social support on relationships of perceived environment and self-efficacy with school-based physical activity: A structural equation model tailored for Japanese adolescent girls

“…Self-efficacy has been demonstrated as a consistent correlate and mediator of adolescents' physical activity [10,11,14,16,43,44]. However, in the current study, selfefficacy did not directly affect physical activity of adolescent girls.…”

Can physical education and physical activity outcomes be developed simultaneously using a game-centered approach?

“…Additionally, as enjoyment has been identified as a possible mediator for PA (Salmon et al, 2009), the impact of PLUNGE in influencing enjoyment during PE classes was included. PLUNGE was evaluated using a group randomized control trial (RCT) with a 7-week wait-list control group.…”

Management of childhood obesity: a challenging but also a fascinating issue

“…9 She also emphasized the importance of considering studies documenting interventions that present physical activity outcomes and that report on effects on potential mediators of behavior change in children. The meta-analysis that she performed with her colleagues revealed that the most common mediators reported included physical activity knowledge or beliefs, self-efficacy, and enjoyment or preference for physical activity.…”

“…9 Hopefully, this could also help us understand why other activities, for example computer-related activities, promote a more spontaneous adherence than physical activity.…”