LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY IN AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION

Despite the many important benefits of leisure-time physical exercise on health, many Americans do not engage in exercise. This is more the case for the African-American population. This study assesses the impa ct of efficacy cognitions on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in an African-American sample. Our findings show that LTPA is predicted b y the sense of efficacy in this African-American sample. Further analy ses address significant factors in the prediction of the sense of effi cacy. We find that the general sense of mastery predicts efficacy in t his African-American sample. This may be especially significant for th e African-American population. Also, analysis reveals surprising findi ngs concerning characteristics predictive of efficacy cognitions. The highly educated are least likely to believe in the efficacy of prevent ive health behavior.