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Perceived barriers to physical activity among high school students.
K R Allison1, J J Dwyer, S Makin
1Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. k.allison@utoronto.ca
Preventive Medicine
|July 15, 1999
Summary
High school students perceive time constraints as major barriers to physical activity. These perceived barriers, both internal and external, influence participation, but the relationship varies by context.
Area of Science:
- Health Behavior
- Exercise Science
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Investigated perceived barriers to physical activity in adolescents.
- Examined the factor structure of these perceived barriers.
- Assessed the relationship between perceived barriers and vigorous physical activity participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the factors contributing to perceived barriers in high school students.
- To understand how different types of perceived barriers relate to physical activity levels.
- To explore the influence of demographic factors, such as gender, on perceived barriers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-stage cluster sample of 1,041 high school students in Toronto.
- Administered questionnaires on physical activity participation and perceived barriers.
- Employed factor analysis and multiple regression to analyze data.
Main Results:
- Time constraints (school, interests, family) were identified as key barriers.
- Females reported higher perceived barriers than males.
- Two factors emerged: perceived internal and external barriers, both predicting physical activity, though external barriers' influence was counter-hypothesized.
Conclusions:
- Perceived barriers to physical activity are significant for high school students.
- The predictive power of perceived barriers on physical activity participation is context-dependent.
- Understanding specific barriers is crucial for promoting adolescent physical activity.