Testing the Physical Activity Self-Definition Model among low-active adults participating in a physical activity intervention

Abstract

Abstract Seeing oneself as a physically active person is one of the strongest predictors of physical activity behaviour and self-regulatory strategies. Determining whether and how physical activity self-perceptions can be stimulated may help low-active individuals who do not see themselves as a physically active person become more active. Cross-sectional research has tested the Physical Activity Self-Definition (PASD) model among active samples; longitudinal studies among low-active adults have yet to be done. The purpose of this study was to test the predictive power of the PASD model among low-active adults over a 16-week physical activity intervention. Participants completed surveys of validated questionnaires in-person at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 16-weeks (end of intervention) at one of two primary care facilities. The final sample included 119 low-active adults. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling indicated that the original model had small-medium predictive power (Q2\xa0=\xa00.22; SRMR\xa0=\xa00.13 [0.05, 0.07]; RMSE\xa0=\xa01.13; MAE\xa0=\xa00.9; BIC\xa0=\xa01348.40). Two paths were added in the revised model (perceived wanting—PASD; perceived ability—perceived commitment), which explained an additional 4% and 5% of the variance in perceived commitment (R2\xa0=\xa00.62 [0.48, 0.72]) and PASD (R2\xa0=\xa00.74 [0.64, 0.80]; all p’s