Predicting physical activity in kidney transplant recipients: an application of the Health Action Process Approach model

ABSTRACT

Despite numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits of physical activity (PA), few kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) positively participate in PA. It is essential to understand the influencing factors of PA in KTRs. This study aimed to apply the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model to explore the influencing factors of PA in KTRs. This was a prospective study involving 320 participants. Pre-actional self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, risk perception, social support, PA intention, and demographic and clinical data were measured at Time 1. Coping self-efficacy, planning, recovery self-efficacy, and PA behavior were assessed 3 months later. The hypothesized relationships were examined by structural equation modeling. Findings revealed significant direct effects of pre-actional self-efficacy, negative outcome expectancies, positive outcome expectancies, and social support on intention. Planning and recovery self-efficacy were significant predictors of PA. The HAPA model provided a validated and useful framework for predicting the factors influencing PA behavior in KTRs.

KEYWORDS:

• Kidney transplantation
• physical activity
• structural equation model
• theory

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks to the participants and the doctors who helped collect data in this study.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 81572235].