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Psychological Factors Related to Reasons for Exercise: A Comparative Study Between Chinese and American College Students

Yan, Zi
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213642219

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Education (MEd), Bowling Green State University, Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies /Kinesiology.
Exercise has been shown to be associated with health and it is related to decreased morbidity and mortality in the general population (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDHHS, 1996). Despite the multiple health benefits of exercise, relatively few people exercise. The present study examined factors that may influence exercise participation. Chinese undergraduate students from Beijing Normal University (n = 213) and American undergraduate students from Bowling Green State University (n = 213) were recruited to participate in the present study. This study examined how reasons for exercise were related to exercise stages of change among Chinese and American college students. Also examined were how reasons for exercise were related to exercise enjoyment and self-efficacy. In addition, cultural and gender differences were examined. The main results were as follows: (1) Women in different stages of change exercised for different reasons, with women in higher stages primarily exercise more for non-body related reasons than women in lower stages of change. (2) American college students exercised more for Weight Control, Fitness, and Physical Attractiveness, while Chinese college students exercised more for Health and Enjoyment. (3) Students who primarily exercised for Mood enjoyed exercise more than people who exercised for other reasons, and people who exercised for body-related reasons, such as Weight Control and Body Tone, enjoyed exercise the least. (4) Women exercising primarily for Mood had higher self-efficacy than women exercising for other reasons. In conclusion, certain reasons for exercise are related to stages of change, exercise enjoyment, and exercise self-efficacy.
Bonnie Berger (Committee Chair)
David Tobar (Committee Member)
Philip Xie (Committee Member)
131 p.
Psychology
exercise; reasons for exercise; stages of change; enjoyment; self-efficacy; Chinese; college students

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Yan, Z. (2008). Psychological Factors Related to Reasons for Exercise: A Comparative Study Between Chinese and American College Students [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213642219

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Yan, Zi. Psychological Factors Related to Reasons for Exercise: A Comparative Study Between Chinese and American College Students. 2008. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213642219.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Yan, Zi. "Psychological Factors Related to Reasons for Exercise: A Comparative Study Between Chinese and American College Students." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1213642219

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1213642219
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.