Skip to main content

Table 3 Physical activity mediator scales

From: The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT girls) randomized controlled trial for adolescent girls from disadvantaged secondary schools: rationale, study protocol, and baseline results

Variables

Description and example items

Range

(No. of items)

ICC

(95% CI)

α

χ2

df

p

GFI

RMSEA

Physical activity mediators

        

Self-efficacy

Confidence in ability to adopt, maintain and overcome barriers to PA behaviors. For example: "I can still find the time to be physically active even when I've had a busy day".

1-6

(5)

0.91

(0.88 to 0.93)

0.69

3.82

5

0.58

0.99

0.00

Environmental perceptions

An individual's mental representation of their environment that may influence their PA behavior:

        
 

   • Home environment - For example: "At home I have access to equipment that helps me to be physically active - e.g. bikes, balls, skateboards".

1-6

(3)

0.88

(0.83 to 0.91)

0.63

11.22

8

0.19

0.98

0.05

 

   • School environment - For example: "At school, facilities are available during recess/lunch for me to be physically active - e.g. the gym, dance studio, sports equipment".

1-6

(3)

0.85

(0.79 to 0.89)

0.65

11.22

8

0.19

0.98

0.05

Social support

Social influences that reinforce PA through encouragement and role modeling:

        
 

   • Peer support - "...how often did you make plans with your friends to be physically active together?'

1-5

(4)

0.91

(0.88 to 0.94)

0.78

27.40

19

0.10

0.97

0.05

 

   • Family support - For example: "... how often did members of your family participate in physical activities/sports with you?"

1-5

(4)

0.86

(0.81 to 0.90)

0.74

27.40

19

0.10

0.97

0.05

Behavioral strategies

Self-reinforcement for PA achieved through setting goals, monitoring behavior and self-reward. For example: "...did you organize to be physically active with a friend or family member?"

1-5

(6)

0.91

(0.88 to 0.93)

0.79

15.45

9

0.16

0.97

0.07

Outcome expectations

Anticipated outcomes of PA such as the benefits. For example: "Participation in regular physical activity can help me to improve my fitness".

1-6

(5)

0.82

(0.75 to 0.86)

0.75

11.26

5

0.03

0.97

0.09

Outcome expectancies

The value placed on anticipated outcomes of PA. For example: "How important is improving your fitness to you?"

1-4

(5)

0.88

(0.83 to 0.91)

0.66

15.74

5

0.01

0.97

0.11

Intentions

Intention to be physically active.

1-4

(1)

0.79

(0.72 to 0.85)

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

  1. Note. ICC = Intra class correlation for 2-week test-retest reliability; α = Cronbach alpha; χ2 = Chi-square; df = degrees of freedom; p = probability; GFI = goodness of fit index; RMSEA = root mean square of approximation; NR = Not relevant.