Gender differences for theory-based determinants of muscle-strengthening physical activity in college-aged students:...

Researchers and practitioners have primarily focused on understanding and promoting aerobic forms of physical activity (PA), while leaving muscle-strengthening forms of PA less understood. There are also stark gender disparities for muscle-strengthening PA but not aerobic PA. The purpose of this study was to apply the reasoned action approach (RAA) toward understanding theory-based determinants of muscle-strengthening PA and to explore gender differences. Female (n = 272) and male (n = 120) college students completed a valid and reliable survey evaluating their participation in muscle-strengthening PA and the constructs of the RAA (intentions, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]). Results showed that attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC explained a substantial amount of the variance of intentions for both female (53.8%) and male (54.7%) participants; however, when predicting participation in muscle-strengthening PA, PBC moderated the relationship between intentions and muscle-strengthening PA participation for female participants but not for male participants. Results from this study showed that for women, implementational processes are likely needed for public health interventions to promote muscle-strengthening PA to build capability, skills, and self-efficacy, while for men, motivational interventions are warranted to create favorable attitudes.