Explaining the Predictive Power of Structures of the Theory of Planned Behavior on the General Health of Participants in Sports Activities

Abstract

Background: Public health is one of the essential mental and psychological needs of human beings. The main purpose of this study was to present a model of participation in sports activities with the general health level and the moderating role of awareness based on the theory of planned behavior. Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study and survey in terms of data collection method. The study population consisted of 120000 participants in group and individual sports activities of Isfahan Municipality, Iran. A total of 384 samples (247 women and 137 men with an age average of 42 ± 14.1 and 46 ± 10.66 years old, respectively) were selected by stratified random sampling. In order to collect data, Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Planned Behavior of Karimi et al. were used for data analysis. The data obtained were analyzed using correlation coefficient, regression, and structural equations in SPSS software version 22 and AMOS software. Findings: The results showed that there was a significantly positive relationship between willingness to do work and planned behavior of participation in sports activities, planned behavior of participation in sports activities, and general health (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it can be acknowledged that by informing people about the beneficial effects of sports, we can plan to stabilize their participatory behavior in sports activities in order to promote and maintain public health.

Keywords

• behavior
• physical activities
• public health