Determinants of physical activity in active and low-active, sixth grade African-American youth

mThis study compared the determinants of physical activity in active and lo w-active African-American sixth grade students (N=108, 57 F, 51 M). Objecti ve assessments of physical activity over a seven-day period were obtained u sing the CSA 7164 accelerometer. Students were classified as active if they exhibited three pr more 20-minute bouts of moderate to vigorous physical a ctivity over the seven-day period. Relative to low-actives, active boys rep orted significantly higher levels of self-efficacy, greater involvement in community physical activity organizations, and were significantly more like ly to perceive their mother us active. Relative to low-actives, active girl s reported significantly higher levels of physical activity self-efficacy, greater positive beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes, and were sig nificantly less likely to watch television or play video games for greater than or equal to 3 hrs/day. These observations provide preliminary guidance as to the design of physical activity interventions targeted at African-Am erican youth.