Maintenance of Physical Activity Among Faculty and Staff in University Settings

Previous studies have placed little emphasis on maintenance of healthy behaviors longer than six months. This study examined facturs that contribute to maintenance of physical activity among faculty and staff in university settings. A 55- item survey on physical activity maintenance was used to assess attitudes towards exercise, exercise self-efficacy, exercise planning, and barriers to exercise. A Principal Components Factor Analysis with Varimax Rotation revealed four facturs. A One way ANOVA was used to determine differences between maintainers and non-maintainers with regard to planning, attitudes, barriers, excuse making, and exercise self-efficacy. Results indicated that maintainers were more likely than non-maintainers to have a plan for exercise. Maintainers also had higher levels of self-efficacy and lower scores in excuse making. Findings indicate areas specific to maintenance of physical activity that health educators can emphasize in program planning. Findings indicated that higher levels of self-efficacy made a difference in action. Incorporating self-efficacy strategies into health education programs may be the key for success of long term maintenance of physical activity.