CHANGES IN PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS OF BOYS AND GIRLS ACROSS THE TRANSITION TO JUNIOR-HIGH-SCHOOL

Purpose: This longitudinal study investigated gender-specific changes in physical activity beliefs and behaviors across the elementary to ju nior high school transition. Methods: Physical activity beliefs and be haviors were measured in a cohort of 132 racially diverse youth during the year prior to and following the transition. Questionnaires assess ed variables hypothetically linked to activity. Physical activity was monitored with the Child/Adolescent Activity Log. Results: Gender diff erences in physical activity beliefs emerged. Across the transition, b oys reported decreased efficacy, social support, and expectations (nor ms) to be physically active. Although girls also reported decreased so cial support for physical activity, they further reported exposure to fewer active role models and were less likely to perceive that the ben efits of regular activity outweighed the barriers following the transi tion. Gender differences in activity levels were apparent, with girls being less active than boys. Despite changes in physical activity beli efs across the school transition, no significant changes in actual lev el of activity occurred over this period. Although beliefs were signif icantly related to behaviors in the domain of physical activity, pretr ansition activity level was the best predictor of posttransition activ ity level. Conclusions: These data indicate that physical activity bel iefs of adolescents change over the school transition.