Physical activity and stages of change for exercise in college freshmen.

摘要

Using the stages of change paradigm, physical activity was examined for a convenience sample (n = 209) of diverse urban college freshmen (55.5% White, 17.7% Latino, 21.4% Black). The results indicated male students had higher engagement in sports than female students, race/ethnicity was significantly related to physical activity, and persons with lower levels of education and income are least active in their leisure time. Findings from the stage of change paradigm were that positive and moderate correlations indicated the higher the stage of change (i.e., action, maintenance stages), the higher the level of involvement in the physical activity or exercise.;In summary, while males engage in higher activity levels of physical activity than females, Blacks, Latinos, public school students, and the lower income may suffer inequities regarding access to facilities in their community that would support exercise.