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Investigated how well the theory of planned behavior could predict students' physical activity intention. Surveys indicated that direct measures of the theory of planned behavior explained 47 percent of variability in the measure of physical activity intention. Differences surfaced in the relative contributions of three predictors (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) across grade and grade-by-grade subgroups. (SM)

Studies the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict training adherence in a sample of adolescent competitive swimmers in Canada. Measures of TPB; Relationship of training intention to training behavior; Contribution of the two measures of evaluative attitude in predicting training intention.

Investigates the utility of various social-psychological variables for predicting intentions to engage in physical activity within Canada's national population. Theories of planned behavior and reasoned action; Assessment of the predictive efficacy using Campbell's Survey of Well-being.

Examines the efficacy of the theory of planned behavior in predicting physical activity intention in a nationwide sample of Canadian children and youth. Analysis of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control by gender and grade; Correlation and standardized regression coefficients; Differences in predictor variable contributions.

Background: Gender is a sociocultural factor known to impact the physical activity (PA) behaviors of South Asians. The purpose of this research was to examine gender-associated perceptions of barriers and motivators for PA in a South Asian population living Canada., Methods: A random sample (N = 204) of South Asian Punjabi adults (18yrs+) completed a computer assisted telephone interview concerning their perceptions to PA participation. Content analysis was used to identify relevant main themes and chi-square analysis was used to calculate gender differences., Results: Results indicated that women more often reported a lack of time due to work and family (χ2 = 7.284, df = 1, P = .007) and a lack of motivation (χ2 = 4.982, df = 1, P = .026), yet men more often reported climate (χ2 = 7.045, df = 1, P = .008) as a barrier. Regarding motivators, men more often reported prevention and reduction of disease (χ2 = 4.451, df = 1, P = .034) and watching others perform (χ2 = 10.827, df = 1, P = .001); however, reducing weight gain (χ2 = 4.806, df = 1, P = .028) and looking like others (χ2 = 4.730, df = 1, P = .029) were reported more often by women., Conclusions: Gender-associated differences concerning PA are present in this population and must be considered in the design and implementation of effective interventions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the leisure-time physical activity of South Asians living in Canada using a four-mode, bidimensional acculturation framework., Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study., Methods: A random sample (N=204) of South Asian adults living in Calgary, Canada completed a telephone interview that assessed their leisure-time physical activity and acculturation. Interviews were conducted in either English or Punjabi, depending on participant preference., Results: Cluster analysis identified four acculturation clusters: Low-Separated and High-Separated (with separation signifying different preference levels for maintaining one's heritage culture while distancing oneself from the mainstream culture); and Integrated-Heritage and Integrated-Mainstream (with integration indicating a preference for maintaining one's heritage culture and being involved in the mainstream culture-albeit with the former cluster emphasizing heritage more whereas the latter cluster emphasized the mainstream more). A MANOVA performed on light, moderate, and vigorous leisure-time physical activity using the four clusters was significant (p<.05). Moderate leisure-time physical activity was greater for the two separated clusters than the two integrated clusters (p<.05), with the Separated-Low cluster being greater than both the Integrated-Mainstream (p<.05) and the Integrated-Heritage (p<.01) clusters. Vigorous leisure-time physical activity was greater for the two integrated clusters than the two separated clusters (p<.01), with the Integrated-Mainstream cluster being greater than both the Separated-Low (p<.05) and Separated-High (p<.01) clusters., Conclusions: An integrative, four-mode bidimensional approach should be employed when developing messages and designing programs to promote and encourage leisure-time physical activity in South Asian communities., (Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Issue Addressed: Use of the Internet for health promotion is increasing; however, the lack of published research regarding website usability suggests that health promotion websites are being developed without consultation with their users or formal evaluation. This study conducted usability testing of an existing health promotion website to inform modifications and to identify common usability themes that should be addressed by organisations developing or maintaining a health promotion website., Methods: A combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques were implemented during the usability testing sessions to gather data from users while completing tasks on the website. Techniques included performance measures (time taken), direct observation (participant observation) and subjective user preferences (questionnaire and interview)., Results: Improvements to the website were measured in terms of reduced problems reported, reduced time taken to complete tasks and increased subjective reports. Seven usability themes emerged from the data: design, feedback, format, instructions, navigation, terminology and learnability., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the application of usability testing to the design and modification of a health promotion website and illustrates the areas or themes that can be used as a framework for testing and modification.