Theory of planned behavior to promote physical activity of adults with physical disabilities: Meta-analytic...

Adults with physical disabilities experience lower physical activity (PA) engagement. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been one of dominant theories in understanding and promoting PA. There is no previous meta-analysis examining the use of the TPB on PA of adults with physical disabilities.

The purposes of this review were 1) to conduct meta-analysis to examine predictive effects of TPB on PA behavior of adults with physical disabilities and 2) to investigate a possible moderator among components of TPB.

One-stage meta-analytic structural equation modeling was used to conduct meta-analysis. Type of physical disability was examined as a moderator.

Intention had moderate effect on PA (β = 0.37, p < .001), attitude had a moderate effect on intention (β = 0.30, p < .001), SN had a non-significant effect on intention (β = 0.03, p = .75), and PBC had a moderate effect on intention (β = 0.43, p < .001) and a non-significant direct effect on PA (β = 0.09, p = .18). The studies conducted with only participants with SCI lowered the predictive effect (β = -0.12, p = .02) of PBC on PA.

Predictive effects of component of TPB were slightly different from those of individuals without disabilities. Type of physical disability can be a critical factor determining the impact of perceived control on PA behavior. Attitude and PBC can be targets for promoting PA of adults with physical disabilities.