5: Predictors and Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior
- Page ID
- 112008
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Researchers and practitioners all want people to move more and sit less. Predicting human behavior is challenging because of the complex nature of how numerous interconnected factors influence human behavior. This chapter is organized by introducing readers to
- why predicting physical activity and sedentary behavior is an important research enterprise and adds value to society,
- understanding what constitutes a psychological predictor from multiple levels of complexity, and
- issues to consider for the future.
- 5.1: Why Predict Physical Activityand Sedentary Behavior?
- Researchers aim to predict physical activity and sedentary behavior to enhance quality of life and health. Physical activity is associated with diverse health benefits, including disease prevention and improved mental health. Conversely, sedentary behavior is linked to negative health outcomes such as obesity and poor academic performance. Predictive research follows two approaches: determining causative factors and identifying behavioral correlates.
- 5.2: Predicting Physical Activity
- This document discusses major theories in understanding physical activity and sedentary behavior. Theories fall into social-cognitive, humanistic/organismic, and dual-process categories, focusing on how beliefs, innate needs, and both reflective and automatic processes affect behavior.
- 5.3: Predicting Sedentary Behavior
- The ecological model of four domains of sedentary behavior organizes factors influencing sedentary behavior across intrapersonal, interpersonal, contextual, environmental, and policy levels. These factors can predict sedentary habits in settings like home, work/school, transport, and leisure.
- 5.4: Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior
- This page examines the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior through developmental, personal, social, and environmental lenses. Personal factors include age, sex, and motivations, while social factors highlight parental and peer support. Environmental considerations involve walkability and climate.
- 5.5: Conclusion
- This text emphasizes the global issue of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, highlighting the necessity for innovative solutions along the science to practice continuum. It advises researchers to consider various factors influencing human behavior and stresses the importance of selecting scientifically supported predictors to effectively change behavior.
- 5.6: Learning Exercises
- The page discusses the difference between approaches to studying prediction, noting a research abundance in physical activity predictors compared to sedentary behavior predictors. It explores intervention strategies to strengthen physical activity intentions, including social persuasion and vicarious experiences used by personal trainers to boost self-efficacy.


