Predictors of change differ for moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity and for weekdays and weekends: a longitudinal analysis

Abstract

BackgroundPredictors of physical activity (PA) change are rarely investigated separately for different PA intensities and for weekdays/weekends. We investigated whether individual-level predictors of one-year change in objectively-measured physical activity differ for moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) and for weekends and weekdays.MethodsAccelerometer-assessed PA (mins) was obtained at baseline and +1 year (n = 875, 41.5% male, Mean ± SD baseline age: 9.8 ± 0.4 years-old). Potential predictors (n = 38) were assessed at baseline from psychological (e.g. self-efficacy), socio-cultural (e.g. parent support) and environmental domains (e.g. land use). Associations between predictors and change in MPA (2000–3999 counts/minute (cpm)) and VPA (≥4000 cpm) separately for weekdays and weekends were studied using multi-level linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for school clustering, sex and baseline PA.ResultsWeekend PA declined (MPA decline 4.6 ± 21.8 mins/day; VPA decline: 2.1 ± 20.1 mins/day; both p < 0.001) whereas weekday PA did not significantly change. Higher baseline PA and being a girl were associated with greater PA declines in all four outcomes; remaining predictors differed for MPA and VPA and/or weekdays and weekends. Family logistic support was associated with less of a decline in weekend MPA (CI 95%) 0.15 (0.05, 0.25) and VPA 0.19 (0.09, 0.29), and peer support with less of a decline in weekday MPA 0.18 (0.02, 0.34) and VPA 0.22 (0.06, 0.38).ConclusionsResults highlight the relevance of investigating predictors of PA change separately for different PA intensities and for weekdays/weekends. In addition to continued focus on school PA promotion, more effort to target interventions during weekends, such as in the family and community appears important. Encouraging peer support to increase weekday PA and targeting parent support for weekend PA may be health promotion priorities.

A Multidimensional Investigation Into the Predictors of Physical Activity in Canadian Adolescents

“…Similar results were found for males, with equipment at home also being associated with increased PA. Recreational time and familiar support were confirmed to be important predictors of PA in this Canadian sample of adolescents, aligning with the results of earlier work (Beets et al, 2010;Corder et al, 2013). Thus, the present study suggests that family and recreational time remain important influences on PA in adolescents.…”

Childhood predictors of adolescent behaviour: The prospective association of familial factors with meeting physical activity guidelines

“…Evidence suggests that declines in physical activity during late childhood are not evenly spread across the day and week, with larger decreases observed on weekend days (Rowlands et al, 2008), and during leisure time on weekdays (McMinn et al, 2013). Previous work in the SPEEDY (Sport, Physical activity and Eating behaviour: Environmental Determinants in Young people) cohort, also analysed here, indicated that family support was associated with 1-year change in physical activity at weekends, but not weekdays (Corder et al, 2013). In contrast, peer support was only associated with change in weekday physical activity.…”

A systematic review of methods to measure family co‐participation in physical activity

“…indoor games, going for a walk, or playing sports) . Similarly, a few other studies asked parents to report on how often they/as a family engaged in any of a list of shared family activities . Such measures may help to offset some of the limitations of broad, less‐precise, single‐item measures.…”

“…Parents reported how often they/as a family engaged in shared family activities including going for bike rides, walk the dog, dance and/or play sports Unnamed; no specific construct reported Unnamed; scale assesses family social support for physical activity Preschooler Physical Activity Parenting Practices Scale …”