Preventive medicine
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Regular physical activity consistently demonstrates an inverse relationship with coronary heart disease and has positive effects on quality of life and other psychological variables. Despite the benefits of exercise, many youth and adults maintain a sedentary lifestyle. Interventions are needed, particularly with youth, to increase levels of physical activity. ⋯ Regression analysis indicated that psychosocial variables were significantly related to physical activity after controlling for baseline levels of physical activity and BMI. Associations with physical activity were found for intention to exercise, self-efficacy, stress, and direct social influence. The designers of future interventions should consider including program components that target these variables.