Predictive Variables of Adolescents’ Intention to Be Physically Active after Graduation. Is Gender a Conditioning Factor?

Abstract

The acquisition of physical activity habits during adolescence is fundamental to guarantee its adherence throughout life. However, these levels decrease during this stage, with women experimenting a more significant decrease. This paper aims to analyze if there are significant differences in the variables related to the intention to be physically active between men and women and if there is a moderating effect of gender on the variables that predict this intention. The sample is composed of 256 adolescents, aged between 16 and 19 years, 55.50% of whom are men, and 44.50% women. The results show that there are statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), with boys showing higher scores in the intention, athletic identity, and in the strength, condition, and attractiveness. About the predictive variables of the intention, the gender moderates the relationships between the physical attractiveness, condition and strength with the perceived behavioral control (pcfmale-pcfmale = 0.44; −0.48 p < 0.001; 0.27, p < 0.05, respectively), and between the subjective norm and the intention to be physically active (pcmale-female = 0.33, p < 0.01). These results highlight the importance of considering gender when designing specific policies for the promotion of physical-sports practice among adolescents to reduce the existing gender gap.

Reasons for Sports-Based Physical Activity Dropouts in University Students

“…The final dropout reason with a significantly high level, is that participants’ self-perceived sports level along with their physical condition has a direct effect on the desire and motivation to not dropout of physical activity. This result has been contrasted in the same way in previous studies [ 83 , 84 ].…”

Study on the Relationship between Leisure Activity Participation and Wearing a Mask among Koreans during COVID-19 Crisis: Using TPB Model

“…This demonstrates the attitude of protecting one's health from infection sources through mask-wearing as well as a positive attitude toward physical exercise. Mask-wearing intentions appear to be influenced by the attitude and control required in regular physical exercise [31][32][33][34][35][36]. In this context, Freeman and Eykelbosh [37] also indicate that people with mask-wearing intentions continue to engage in leisure activities amidst social distancing regulations by maintaining safety guidelines for physical exercise, and that they had a strong belief in mask wearing during physical activity.…”

Psychopathological Risk Factors Associated with Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction and Weight-Loss Dieting in School-Age Adolescents

“…The lack of such preventative actions generates inadequate habits (at stages even previous to adolescence), with primary school children consuming food with insufficient nutritional content [59]. Besides, the assessment and intervention at a global scale must be contemplated since the variables associated with self-perception and the practice of weight-loss diets is not independent from the patterns of physical activity and the resulting BMI [60]. Nevertheless, the results of the interventions are actually generating optimism, with many medical cases of unspecified eating disorders [61] revealing improvement in the emotional situation, attitude towards food and physical activity in female adolescents taking part in mental training studies.…”