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Is Physical Activity-Related Self-Efficacy Associated with Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Sedentary
Felipe Ganz1, Virginia Wright2,3, Patricia J Manns1,4
1Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Insights
Physical activity self-efficacy is linked to more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less sedentary time in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Age and gross motor function also influence activity levels in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function, impacting physical activity levels in children.
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behavior is crucial for managing CP.
- Self-efficacy, a belief in one's ability to succeed, may play a role in activity engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between physical activity-related self-efficacy and actual physical activity and sedentary time in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Main Methods:
- Employed accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) to objectively measure physical activity and sedentary behavior over 5 days.
- Assessed self-efficacy using a validated scale focusing on task-specific capabilities.
- Utilized correlation and linear regression analyses to examine relationships between self-efficacy, age, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time.
Main Results:
- Physical activity self-efficacy showed a positive correlation with MVPA (r=0.428, p=0.015) and a negative correlation with sedentary time (r=-0.332, p=0.049).
- Linear regression indicated that GMFCS level (β=-0.462, p=0.006), age (β=-0.344, p=0.033), and self-efficacy (β=0.281, p=0.080) were associated with MVPA.
- GMFCS level (β=0.439, p=0.003) and age (β=0.605, p<0.001) were significantly associated with sedentary time.
Conclusions:
- Self-efficacy, alongside age and gross motor function, is associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels in ambulatory children with CP.
- These findings highlight the potential of self-efficacy interventions to promote physical activity in this population.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and explore the specific impact of self-efficacy on reducing sedentary behavior in children with CP.
Abstract:
To determine how physical activity-related self-efficacy is associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour time among ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP). Children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I-III (N = 26; aged 9-18 y), completed the task self-efficacy component of a self-efficacy scale and wore Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers for 5 days. Correlations (Pearson and Spearman's rank-order; α = 0.050) were conducted to evaluate the relationships among age, GMFCS level, self-efficacy, and both daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Linear regression models were used to determine the relationships among the independent variables and MVPA and sedentary time. Self-efficacy was positively associated with MVPA time (r = 0.428, p = 0.015) and negatively correlated with sedentary time (r = -0.332, p = 0.049). In our linear regression models, gross motor function (β = -0.462, p = 0.006), age (β = -0.344, p = 0.033), and self-efficacy (β = 0.281, p = 0.080) were associated with MVPA time (R2 = 0.508), while GMFCS level (β = 0.439, p = 0.003) and age (β = 0.605, p < 0.001) were associated with sedentary time (R2 = 0.584). This research suggests that self-efficacy, age, and gross motor function are associated with MVPA in children with CP. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and further explore the influence of self-efficacy on sedentary behaviour.
