Cited by 363Physical Activity and HealthBehavioral Health and InterventionsMotivation and Self-Concept in Sports

Psychosocial mediators of physical activity behavior among adults and children

Lewis, Beth A, Marcus, Bess H, Pate, Russell R, Dunn, Andrea L·2002·American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Abstract

Background Researchers examining theory-based, physical activity (PA) interventions postulate that interventions are effective by changing theoretical constructs hypothesized to mediate the relationship between the intervention and PA behavior. Research indicates that PA interventions are effective for increasing PA behavior. However, whether effective interventions are due to predicted changes in theoretical constructs remains poorly understood.Methods Studies that examined theoretical constructs (i.e., mediators) in PA interventions of adults or children, which used experimental designs and met other criteria for evaluating mediation, were collected via literature searches, personal searches of files, and personal communications. Only studies examining the direct effect of the intervention on the hypothesized mediator were considered relevant for this study.Results Based on our criteria, the adult literature search yielded ten studies and the child literature search yielded two studies. The most common mediators examined included behavioral processes of change, cognitive processes of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, social support, and enjoyment. Research indicates that behavioral processes are likely mediators. There was some support for the importance of self-efficacy as a mediator.Conclusions Few studies have used statistically recommended methods to examine mediators in PA intervention studies. Therefore, definitive conclusions about the importance of the mediators reviewed are not possible at this time. Additional PA mediator-intervention studies using recommended statistical methods are necessary to truly test if theory-based PA interventions are effective due to predicted changes in theoretical constructs.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0749-3797(02)00471-3

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Authors
Lewis, B. A., Marcus, B. H., Pate, R. R., & Dunn, A. L.
Affiliations
  • Brown University (US)
  • University of South Carolina (US)
  • Cooper Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Lewis, Beth A
Venue
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-08
Volume
23
Issue
2
Pages
26-35
ISSN
0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2075895373
Cited by
363
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 22
FWCI
1.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Scholar Commons (University of South Carolina) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5f32hl068422-02)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 64342, R01HL064342, HL-68422)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Keywords
physical activity interventions, mediators, theory-based intervention, self-efficacy, decisional balance, social support, enjoyment, children, adults, mediation analysis
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Child, Decision Making, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Physical Fitness, Psychological Theory, Social Support, Health Behavior, Exercise

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