The Exercise Intentions and Behaviors of Students in Metropolitan Areas---A Longitudinal Study

Studies on exercise behavior have typically used cross-sectional methods and rarely adopted theories as basis to extensively analyze student-exercise-related behavioral patterns and relevant factors. Therefore, this three-year project focuses on the following objectives: (a) predicting and explaining the changes in the exercise intentions, behaviors and relevant factors of students; (b) elucidating the individual differences among exercise intentions, behaviors and relevant factors that influence of students over time. Taipei City of public elementary school students in Grade 4, junior high, and high schools in Grade 1 are assessed for a period of 3 years, using longitudinal study design, questionnaire-based surveys, and behavioral tracking methods. Two schools from each school system (i.e., elementary, junior high, and high school) are selected by employing a multistep sampling method. Subsequently, students from seven classes of Grades 4 (elementary), six classes of Grade 7 (junior high), and six classes of Grade 10 (high school) are selected. Approximately 420, 420, and 480 students in elementary, junior high, and high schools, respectively, are expected to participate in this study. A survey concerning student exercise intention, behavior, and related factors is developed based on the theory of planned behavior and the recommended methods and procedures. Statistical methods involve the Pearson Product-Moment correlation, multiple regression, and hierarchical linear models. The study results are expected to elucidate the variations in the exercise intentions and behaviors of students from Grade 4 to the high school, and reveal factors influencing student exercise intentions and behaviors. The findings of this study can be used as the basis to design an exercise intervention to improve youth exercise habits.