Potential Predictors of College Women Meeting Strength Training Recommendations: Application of the Integrated Behavioral Model.

PURPOSE: Due to numerous health benefits, national recommendations call Americans to participate in muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days/week. However, college-aged women tend to fall short of recommendations. This study sought to examine correlates of college women meeting strength training recommendations using the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM). METHODS: Undergraduate women (n = 421) completed surveys measuring strength training, demographics, and IBM constructs. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Respondents were on average 20.1 years old, 79.3% were white, and 66.3% did not meet strength training recommendations. Bivariate correlations revealed significant relationships (P ≤ .01) between strength training and attitude, descriptive norms, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, intention, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. A logistic regression model revealed self-efficacy, intention, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were predictive of college women meeting U.S. strength training recommendations. CONCLUSION: This study supports using the IBM to understand strength training behavior among college women. Further research is needed to better understand mediating effects among IBM constructs.

Gender differences in college leisure time physical activity: application of the theory of planned behavior and integrated behavioral model.

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 (ß = .119), intention (ß = .438), self-efficacy (ß = .166), body mass index (BMI) (ß = -.084), and sports participation (ß = .081) as significantly associated with LTPA for females (R (2) = .425, p < .001), whereas intention (ß = .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.