Factors related to stages of exercise behavior change among university students based on the transtheoretical model

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of stages of change in the exercise behavior of university students the transtheoretical model. [Subjects and Methods] Study subjects at four universities in G city were surveyed. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed, and 959 responses were analyzed. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis. [Results] Factors that contributed to the transition from the pre-contemplation stage to the contemplation stage included change-experimental processes (C-EP) and change-behavioral processes (C-BP). Factors that contributed to the transition from the contemplation stage to the preparation stage were C-BP and decisional decisional balance-cons (DB-C). Self-efficacy was the factor that contributed to the transition from the preparation stage to the action stage. However, there was no factor that contributed to the transition from the action stage to the maintenance stage. [Conclusion] When exercise behavior change is low, strategies such as giving one-to-one training, having the subjects read relevant books, and providing information are needed. When exercise behavior change is high, it is necessary to heighten self-efficacy by having subjects select and freely conduct appropriate kinds of exercises.