فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Purpose: This study has been conducted to identify the roles of self-efficacy, benefits of andbarriers to physical activity, and its relationship with physical activity in male and female highschool students in the city of Izeh, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptiveanalytical study, 500 students (200 boys and 300 girls) from high schools of Izeh city during theperiod 2011-2012 were chosen using the multistage random sampling method. The data for thisstudy was acquired through a multisectional questionnaire that included sections as follows:Demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits and barriers. The gathereddata was then studied and analyzed. Statistical tests such as independent t-tests, Spearman’scorrelation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to interpret andanalyze the data. Results: Data analysis showed that the mean age of male participants was15.67 ± 0.95 years and females 15.86 ± 1.16 years. The average weekly time of physical activityin male students was 424.74 ± 158.48 min and in females 186.63 ± 90.59 min. The mean scoresfor self-efficacy and perceived benefits of physical activity were significantly higher in boys ascompared to girls. There was a positive and significant correlation between the mean scores forperceived self-efficacy and the weekly time in male students spent on physical activity as well as themean scores for perceived benefits and the weekly time spent on physical activity in both genders.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that many factors influence students’ physicalactivity; however, the role of these factors is not identical in the two genders. An understandingof these factors helps educationalists and other health experts design appropriate interventions.