Hop, skip... no! Explaining adolescent girls' disinclination for physical activity

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Exercise Science
• Psychology of Physical Activity

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) often declines during adolescence, particularly in girls.
• Understanding girls' disinclination for PA is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• Existing measures may not fully capture the multifaceted reasons behind girls' reduced PA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Girls' Disinclination for Physical Activity Scale (G-DAS).
• To implement the G-DAS alongside objective PA measures in adolescent girls.
• To identify key factors contributing to girls' disinclination for physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of non-Hispanic White girls assessed at ages 13 and 15.
• Administration of the G-DAS and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale.
• Objective measurement of physical activity using accelerometers for 7 days.

Main Results:

• A five-factor solution for the G-DAS was supported, identifying reasons like low perceived competence, lack of opportunities, high perceived exertion, body image concerns, and threats to gender identity.
• The G-DAS demonstrated reliability and validity.
• Low perceived competence was the most frequently cited reason for disliking PA and predicted lower PA maintenance from ages 13 to 15.

Conclusions:

• Interventions targeting PA skill development before adolescence may mitigate PA declines in girls.
• Addressing factors such as perceived competence and body image is important for promoting sustained physical activity in adolescent girls.
• The G-DAS provides a valuable tool for assessing barriers to physical activity in this demographic.