Predicting sport and physical activity commitment and participation during early parenthood

Despite considerable benefits of regular moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sport participation, adult participation rates remain low. Drawing from the sport commitment model (SCM), the purpose of this study was to examine predictors of sport commitment and MVPA, among parents of children (<13 years of age) across 3-months. Participants were randomly assigned to a team sport (n = 58, asked to select and participate in an adult team sport program), individual PA (n = 60, asked to select and participate in individual PA) or control (n = 66, asked to select a "date-night" activity) group and completed measures of the SCM (commitment, enjoyment, involvement opportunities, social constraints, investment, involvement alternatives) and self-reported MVPA at baseline, and post-randomization at six weeks and three months. Commitment and investment were significant predictors of MVPA over time, and enjoyment, involvement alternatives, and investment predicted commitment over time, controlling for group assignment. Individuals assigned to the team sport group reported greater commitment and investment at week 6 compared to the control group and higher investment partly mediated the relationship with MVPA. Interventions fostering enjoyment, and that can help support parents to make an investment to build commitment in sport and PA may be particularly effective when promoting MVPA in this population.