Correlates of physical activity in a population-based sample of kidney cancer survivors: an application of the theory of planned behavior
Date
2012-08-06
Authors
Trinh, Linda
Plotnikoff, Ronald C
Rhodes, Ryan E.
North, Scott
Courneya, Kerry S
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Over half of kidney cancer survivors (KCS) are completely inactive and only a quarter are meeting
physical activity (PA) guidelines. This highlights the need to identify and understand the determinants of PA in this
understudied population. The purpose of this study is to determine the social cognitive correlates of PA intention
and behavior in KCS using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).
Methods: All 1,985 KCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 in Alberta, Canada were mailed a self-report survey that
consisted of the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and standard TPB items for intention, planning,
perceived behavioral control (PBC), affective and instrumental attitudes, and descriptive and injunctive norms.
Standard demographic and medical variables were also collected.
Results: Completed surveys were received from 703 of 1,654 (43%) eligible KCS. The TPB was tested using structural
equation modelling and demonstrated an adequate-to-good fit to the data [χ² = 256.88, p < .001; TLI = 0.97;
CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI = 0.05-0.06].
There were significant pathways to PA from PBC (ß = 0.18, p = 0.02), planning (ß = 0.22, p < 0.01), and intention
(ß = 0.31, p < 0.01); and to planning from intention (ß = 0.81, p < 0.01). In addition, there were significant model
pathways to intention from instrumental attitude (ß = 0.28, p = 0.03), descriptive norm (ß = 0.09, p = 0.01), and PBC
(ß = 0.52, p < 0.01). Overall, the TPB accounted for 69%, 63%, and 42% of the variance in intention, planning and PA,
respectively.
Conclusion: The TPB appears to be a useful model for explaining PA in KCS. All TPB constructs except injunctive
norm and affective attitude were useful for explaining intention with PBC emerging as the largest correlate.
Developing PA interventions based on the TPB may be effective in promoting PA in KCS and may lead to
important improvements in health.
Keywords: Exercise, Motivation, Social cognitive models, Correlates
Description
BioMed Central
Keywords
Exercise, Motivation, Social cognitive models, Correlates
Citation
Trinh et al.: Correlates of physical activity in a population-based sample of kidney cancer survivors: an application of the theory of planned behavior. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2012 9:96.