Social cognitive factors associated with physical activity in elementary school girls.

Objective: To examine social cognitive factors associated with physical activity (PA) among preadolescent girls.
Method: Social cognitive theory was used to examine PA in girls (N=90; 71% African American) participating in Girls on the Run. Multiple regressions explored factors associated with PA at posttesting and 3-month follow-up.
Results: Significant increases in PA, social influences, and self-efficacy were found, which were sustained at 3-month follow-up. Self-efficacy and social influences had the strongest relations to PA at posttest; self-efficacy remained the strongest predictor of PA at 3-month follow-up.
Conclusions: Social support and self-efficacy are important targets of PA interventions in preadolescent girls.