Comparison of Social Variables for Understanding Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls

Abstract

To evaluate social support and theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs in explaining physical activity in adolescent girls. One thousand seven hundred ninety-seven 8th-grade girls completed a survey measuring social provisions, family support, TPB constructs, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and team sport involvement (TSI). Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated statistically significant direct effects from TPB constructs and social provisions to intention; social provisions, family support, and intention to MVPA; and social provisions and family support to TSI. Social variables play a greater role in explaining TSI than in explaining MVPA in this sample.