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ERIC Number: EJ1240195
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Predicting Intention to Be Physically Active among Volunteer Firefighters
Amodeo, Kayla L.; Nickelson, Jen
American Journal of Health Education, v51 n1 p1-13 2020
Background: Over half of all firefighter deaths are due to heart attacks. Physical activity (PA) is a protective factor against cardiovascular disease, but most firefighters do not meet recommended PA levels. Volunteer firefighters (VFFs), particularly in rural areas, may have unique reasons for not meeting recommendations. Purpose: To examine VFFs' PA intention and factors that might influence it, using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we surveyed 123 North Carolina VFFs. Results: Most VFFs were overweight (35.9%) or obese (44.4%), and many did not participate in any moderate-intensity cardiovascular (14.4%), vigorous-intensity cardiovascular (40.8%), or strength training (45.2%) exercise in the prior 7 days. On average, participants did not perceive themselves at high risk for heart disease. Regression analyses found that attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and past PA behavior accounted for 57.9% of the variance in PA intention (p = 0.031). Discussion: Many firefighters in this study were not meeting recommended PA guidelines and did not perceive themselves at high risk for heart disease. Relationships among variables should be explored more fully by quantitative and qualitative methods. Translation to Health Education Practice: Findings from this study have implications for future PA intervention development aimed at VFF populations.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A