Gender Differences in College Leisure Time Physical Activity: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Integrated Behavioral Model

Abstract

Objective: National data consistently report that males participate in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) at higher rates than females. This study expanded previous research to examine gender differences in LTPA of college students using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) by including 2 additional constructs, descriptive norm and self-efficacy, from the integrated behavioral model. Participants: Participants were college students (N = 621) from a large public university in the southeastern United States. Methods: A self-report, classroom-based assessment with validated and reliable measures of LTPA, TPB constructs, descriptive norm, self-efficacy, and demographics was conducted in fall 2009. Results: Regression analyses revealed attitude (β = .119), intention (β = .438), self-efficacy (β = .166), body mass index (BMI) (β = −.084), and sports participation (β = .081) as significantly associated with LTPA for females (R ² = .425, p < .001), whereas intention (β = .371) was significant for males (R ² = .202, p < .001). Conclusions: Practitioners should consider tailoring promotional materials to address these gender differences in efforts to increase LTPA participation among college students.

Keywords:

• behavior change
• exercise
• males and females
• university students
• theory
• young adults