Menstruation & physical activity: A test of the theory of planned behavior and menstrual attitudes

As of recent years, the physical activity (PA) level of females in the United States has increased (Schultz, 2014). in females specifically, kinesiologists have examined the physiological effects of exercise (i.e., female athlete triad; de Souza, 2003) and how menstrual hormones affect performance (Jonge, 2003). However, as females tend to be less active than their male counterparts (Troiano et al., 2008), there is need to examine correlates of PA specific to females. This thesis contained two studies.;The first study explored the components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) as predictors of intention to be active and levels of PA during menstruation. This study also assessed whether general menstrual attitudes were associated with the TPB components and PA during menstruation. Females (N 217; Mage = 24.4 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey assessing TPB constructs, PA during menstruation and the rest of the menstrual cycle. Results of a dependent t-test showed that females reported less PA during menstruation than the rest of the cycle ( p < 0.001). Two multiple regressions were performed. First, the TPB constructs, specifically affective attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to be active during menstruation (R2= 0.60, p < 0.001). Results from a hierarchical regression showed that the addition of TPB constructs (intention and PBC) improved the prediction of self-report menstruation during PA beyond typical PA levels (R2change = 0.04, p < 0.001). Both total PA (beta = 0.90, p < 0.001) and intentions (beta = 3.38, p < 0.001) predicted PA during.