Determinants of physical activity intention and behavior among African American alumnae athletes and women non-athletes

Background. Previous studies have shown that fewer than 45% of African American women participate in recommended levels of physical activity (PA). Physical activity begins to decline during adolescence and continues to decrease through young adulthood (to age 29). One way to establish a schedule of regular PA for girls and female adolescents is for them to participate in a team sport. The two-fold purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen 1991) to (1) explain intention to participate in PA for African American alumnae athletes, and (2) to understand the relationship between the subjects' previous involvement in sport and their current self-reported level of physical activity intensity (moderate physical activity - MPA, vigorous physical activity - VPA).;Methods. This was a two-phase study based upon the Theory of Planned Behavior that took place between February and August, 2012. The first phase utilized a cross-sectional, quantitative research design. Data was collected from 151 study participants at the same point-in-time via the use of a web-based survey. The second phase of the study involved a qualitative methodology in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of the findings collected through quantitative approaches.;Results. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the TPB is an appropriate theoretical framework to study physical activity intention and behavior for African American alumnae athletes and women non-athletes. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of intention to participate in PA for the study population (beta = 1.03, p <.001). Perceived behavioral control was the strongest contributor to current PA participation (beta = 0.23, p =<.05). Attitude was the strongest contributor to current PA intensity level (beta = 0.22, P = .05). More than 80% of the alumnae athletes reported current participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity. Qualitative follow-up substantiated the benefits of sport participation on future physical activity behavior and intensity level for African American women alumnae athletes.;Implications. Evidence-based physical education curricula could help to enhance lifelong participation in PA for African American women, which ultimately results in improved health and wellness for this minority population.