A longitudinal test of the theory of planned behaviour to explain physical activity level in children: exploration of the role of gender and age

Abstract

Objective

Most previous research based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explain children's physical activity (PA) remains cross-sectional and the moderating role of demographic variables on the link between TPB variables is rarely explored. This study aims to (1) test a longitudinal cross-lagged panel model based on the TPB to explain PA in children, and (2) examine in what extent this model operates equivalently across age and gender.

Design

Children (N = 363, M = 8.6 years) completed measures of TPB constructs and PA at two measurement times (T1 and T2) within three months.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported PA.

Results

Path analyses revealed that the model tested accounted for 25% of the variance in PA at T2. Subgroups analyses revealed that age significantly moderated the links between subjective norms at T1 and T2, between PA at T1 and T2, and between PA at T1 and subjective norms at T2. Gender significantly moderated the links between intentions at T1 and T2, and between PA at T1 and perceived behavioural control at T2.

Conclusion

The temporal stability of the variables of the TPB and the link between initial PA and subsequent TPB variables may vary by children's gender and age.

Keywords:

• Youth
• exercise
• psychosocial theories
• longitudinal study
• moderation analyses

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the French National Institute of Cancer and the French Institute of Public Health (Grant INCa-IReSP “Research in primary prevention” PP-S1-04). Mathieu Gourlan was supported by the SIRIC Montpellier Cancer (Grant INCa-DGOS-Inserm 6045). Lydie Roux was supported by the French National Institute of Cancer (Grant INCa_10201).