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Originalia

Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents

A Multidimensional Approach

Published Online:June 30, 2015https://doi.org/10.1026/0943-8149/a000136

Abstract

During adolescence, physical activity (PA) decreases with potentially serious, long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Although barriers have been identified as an important PA correlate in adults, research on adolescents’ PA barriers is lacking. Thus reliable, valid scales to measure adolescents’ PA barriers are needed. We present two studies describing a broad range of PA barriers relevant to adolescents with a multidimensional approach. In Study 1, 124 adolescents (age range = 12 – 24 years) reported their most important PA barriers. Two independent coders categorized those barriers. The most frequent PA barriers were incorporated in a multidimensional questionnaire. In Study 2, 598 adolescents (age range = 13 – 21 years) completed this questionnaire and reported their current PA, intention, self-efficacy, and negative outcome expectations. Seven PA barrier dimensions (leisure activities, lack of motivation, screen-based sedentary behavior, depressed mood, physical health, school workload, and preconditions) were confirmed in factor analyses. A multidimensional approach to measuring PA barriers in adolescents is reliable and valid. The current studies provide the basis for developing individually tailored interventions to increase PA in adolescents.


Barrieren körperlicher Aktivität von Jugendlichen: Ein mehrdimensionaler Ansatz

Im Jugendalter sinkt die körperliche Aktivität mit potenziell schwerwiegenden, langfristigen Konsequenzen für die körperliche und psychische Gesundheit. Obwohl Barrieren als wichtiges Korrelat körperlicher Aktivität von Erwachsenen gelten, sind sie bei Jugendlichen kaum untersucht. Eine Quantifizierung der Barrieren Jugendlicher durch reliable, valide Messinstrumente ist folglich unabdingbar. In zwei Studien wurde ein breites Spektrum von Barrieren körperlicher Aktivität von Jugendlichen anhand eines mehrdimensionalen Ansatzes untersucht. In Studie 1 berichteten 124 Jugendliche (Altersbereich: 12 – 24 Jahre) die für sie wichtigsten Barrieren körperlicher Aktivität. Diese wurden von zwei unabhängigen Kodierern kategorisiert. Die am häufigsten genannten Barrieren gingen in die Konstruktion des mehrdimensionalen Fragebogens ein. In Studie 2 beantworteten 598 Jugendliche (Altersbereich: 13 – 21 Jahre) diesen Fragebogen; zudem berichteten sie ihre aktuelle körperliche Aktivität, Intention, Selbstwirksamkeit und negativen Konsequenzerwartungen. Sieben Barrieren-Dimensionen wurden mittels Faktorenanalysen bestätigt (Freizeitaktivitäten, mangelnde Motivation, Medienkonsum, depressive Stimmung, körperliche Gesundheit, schulische Arbeitsbelastung, Voraussetzungen). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass im Jugendalter Barrieren körperlicher Aktivität anhand eines mehrdimensionalen Ansatzes reliabel und valide erfasst werden können. Die vorliegenden Studien bilden die Grundlage, um individuell auf die Barrieren von Jugendlichen zugeschnittene Interventionen zur Steigerung ihrer körperlichen Aktivität zu entwickeln.

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