Characteristics of exercise behavior among college students: Application of social cognitive theory to predicting stage of change

Background. Young adulthood is characterized by a steep decline in the leve l of physical activity, but few theory-based studies have examined characte ristics associated with regular exercise in this population. This study app lied Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Stages of Change Model (SCM) to determine personal, behavioral, and environmental characteristics associate d with exercise behavior and intentions among undergraduate university stud ents. Methods. A random sample of 937 undergraduate students (mean age 22.0 +/- 5 .6 years; 84.7% ages 17-24 years) enrolled at a large Midwestern university completed a mailed questionnaire, Valid and reliable instruments were used to measure personal, behavioral, and environmental variables based on the SCT that were hypothesized to influence stage of exercise behavior change. Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to determine associations among these variables with stage of exercise behavior change. Results. Exercise self-efficacy, physical activity history, and nonexercise estimation of aerobic capacity were significant predictors of the stage of exercise behavior change for both males and females, Among females, exerci se self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and family social support (P < 0.001) for phys ical activity were the best predictors of stage of exercise behavior change , Friend social support (P < 0.001), physical activity history (P < 0.001), and exercise self-efficacy (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of stag e of exercise behavior change among males. Conclusions. The SCT framework predicted stage of exercise behavior change as defined by the SCM, Exercise self-efficacy was associated with exercise stage, but the source of significant social support (family versus friends) was different for males and females. (C) 2000 American Health Foundation a nd Academic Press.