Leisure Time Physical Activity in Adult Native Americans.

The problem addressed by this study was to determine the influences of personal and motivational factors on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among Native Americans (NAs). Based on Pender's Revised Health Promotion Model, the study purpose was to 1) discover the best filling and most parsimonious model that describes the relationship between LTPA and explanatory variables, and 2) to discover model differences between men and women regarding personal and motivating factors for LTPA. Only the variables of self-motivation, physical self-efficacy, and barriers were common to both men and women as an explanation for exercising behavior. The model for females correctly identified 32.3% of the non exercisers and 92.2% of the exercisers, with an overall correct identification rate of 74.3%. For the male model, corresponding values were 63.7%, 83.3%, and 74.8%. These findings suggest that variables that explain exercising behavior in the Caucasian population may also fit the Native American population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]