Correlates of Physical Activity among Korean Navy Personnel: An Ecological Approach

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to measure the relationships between ecological factors and Navy personnel's physical activity (PA) based on McLeroy's Ecological model. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 184 Navy personnel working in 10 Navyships. A self-reporting questionnaire consisted of measures of intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational and community factors related to Navy personnel's PA. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi2-test, t-test, analysis of variance, and hierarchical multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 17.0 programs. RESULTS: Their mean PA level was 2,848.1+/-3,344.5 MET-min/week, and mostly moderate level (50.5%). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that religion, working department, working type, perceived health status and community environment were significant PA correlates. CONCLUSION: Community environmental factors as well as intrapersonal factors were significantly associated with Navy personnel's PA, indicating that community health nurses should expand an approach for individual-level behavioral change to incorporate Navy personnel specific community environmental barriers into PA interventions.