Perceptions of the Likelihood and Importance of Physical Activity Outcomes at 14 Years Affects Physical Fitness at 17 Years

Objective The aims of this study were to examine whether the importance of physical activity and the likelihood of experiencing effects of physical activity changed between 14 and 17 years, and whether perceptions of importance and likelihood of physical activity in early adolescence align with aerobic fitness in late adolescence.

Design Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting Perth, Western Australia, Australia, between 1989 and 1992.

Participants Participants of the Raine Study Gen2 (including 14‐year follow‐up and 17‐year follow‐up), which has been described in detail elsewhere (http://www.rainestudy.org.au). From 1989 to 1992, 2900 pregnant women reporting to antenatal clinics in Perth, Western Australia, were recruited into the study.

Outcome measures They reported via survey at both time points on the likelihood and importance of being physically active over the next year, completing two 15‐item questionnaires.

Results A total of 1056 participants (554 girls and 502 boys) from the Raine Study Generation 2 (Gen2) took part. Their rating of the importance and likelihood towards physical activity was mainly influenced by intrinsic health (e.g., fit and healthy, losing weight, improving appearance) and social factors (e.g., having fun, spending time with friends) compared to extrinsic factors (e.g., change to win/compete, others making fun of them). Males positively rated more extrinsic factors compared to the females, with the rating of intrinsic factors such as ‘fit and healthy’ and ‘losing weight’ stable between 14 and 17 years. ‘Appearance’ was the only factor that increased in importance at 17 years compared to 14 years of age.

Conclusion Greater awareness of the factors that young adolescents consider as important and likely for their physical activity is important. These include having fun, spending time with friends and keeping fit and healthy. Sport coaches, physical education teachers and health promotion campaigns could consider targeted interventions focusing on these factors as an effective way of engaging youth.