Motivational factors and stages of change for physical activity among college students in Amman, Jordan

摘要

Le but de cette étude était d'examiner les niveaux d'activité physique à travers les cinq stades de changement du comportement par rapport à l'activité physique, et d'identifier, en fonction de ces stades de changement, les facteurs qui motivent la pratique d'activités physiques parmi les étudiants d'Amman, en Jordanie. Les analyses étaient basées sur des enquêtes transversales auprès de 431 étudiants, dont la moyenne d'âge était de 21,1 ans (SD=0,16), parmi lesquels 67,5 % de filles. Sur la base de la recommandation selon laquelle il est nécessaire de pratiquer une activité physique au moins 30 minutes par jour, au moins trois jours par semaine, les garçons avaient d'avantage tendance que les filles à se classer dans les derniers stades : 7,3 % contre 9,5 % dans le stade de la précontemplation, 17,4 % contre 14,7 % dans le stade de la contemplation, 50,0 % contre 63,5 % dans le stade de la préparation, 9,4 % contre 5,6 % dans le stade de l'action, et 15,9 % contre 6,7 % dans le stade de la poursuite régulière [x~(4) = 14,04, p = 0,0072].%The purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity levels across the five stages of change for physical activity and to identify motivational factors for physical activity according to these stages of change among college students in Amman, Jordan. Analyses were based on a cross-sectional survey of 431 students, with a mean age of 21.1 (SD=0.16) and 67.5% female. Based on the recommendation that physical activity requires at least 30 minutes of physical activity 3 or more days per week, men were more likely than women to classify themselves in later stages: 7.3% vs. 9.5% in the precontempla-tion stage, 17.4% vs. 14.7% in the contemplation stage, 50.0% vs. 63.5% in the preparation stage, 9.4% vs. 5.6% in the action stage, and 15.9% vs. 6.7% in the maintenance stage [X~2(4) = 14.04, p = 0.0072]. Seven potential motivational items for physical activity were assessed using factor analysis: experience better self-worth, prevent chronic disease, relieve stress, stay in shape, longevity, recreation/fun, and social benefits. Two factor groupings were identified from these items. The first factor included the first five items, labeled as "Physical and Mental". The second factor included the last two items, labeled as "Social and Recreational." "Physical and Mental" items compared with "Social and Recreational" items were most likely to motivate physical activity across the stages of change for physical activity. The strongest motivator of physical activity was to stay in shape. The weakest motivator of physical activity was for social reasons. The influence of the intermediate motivational factors was slightly affected by the students' stage of change for physical activity. Motivators for physical activity did not differ according to sex. These results provide important information about the motivational factors for physical activity for college-aged students in Jordan that can be useful in developing effective physical activity intervention programs.