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Understanding the factors that influence physical activity behavior is important in the design of intervention programs targeted at youth.

A prospective study design was used to identify the predictors of vigorous physical activity (VPA) (≥6 METs) and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (≥3 METs) among 202 rural, predominantly African-American children. Selected social–cognitive determinants of physical activity were assessed via questionnaire in the fifth grade. Participation in VPA and MVPA was assessed via the previous day physical activity recall 1 year later in the sixth grade.

For girls, participation in community sports, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers, enjoyment of school physical education, race (white > black), and perception of mother's activity level (active vs inactive) were significant predictors of VPA. For MVPA, participation in community sports and self-efficacy …