Psychosocial Correlates of Meeting National Guidelines for Muscle-Strengthening Activities in Latinas

Tanya J. Benitez, Nanette Lopez, Jessica Haughton, Bess H. Marcus, James F. Sallis, Noe Crespo, Lilian G. Perez, Elva M. Arredondo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Performing regular muscle-strengthening activity has numerous health benefits, including improvements in blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and lean body mass. Despite the disproportionate prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic disease in Latinas (diabetes, hypertension, obesity), most do not report meeting the national guidelines for muscle-strengthening activity. Existing physical activity (PA) research in Latinas has focused almost exclusively on aerobic PA. Our study examined Latinas’ sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of meeting muscle-strengthening PA guidelines that can inform future PA interventions. Method: A cross-sectional study of participants (N = 436) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial promoting PA and cancer screening in Latinas was conducted, and t tests examined the associations between sociodemographic and psychosocial factors with self-reported muscle-strengthening activities. Hierarchical regression was conducted in separate blocks guided by the socioecological model (sociodemographic, individual, and interpersonal factors) to examine the independent contribution of each block to the outcome of meeting national guidelines for muscle-strengthening PA. Results: Participants who met the national PA guidelines of ≥2 days/week of muscle-strengthening activities reported significantly higher social support for PA (p <.001), greater use of behavioral strategies for PA (p <.001), and lower barriers to PA (p <.03) than those who did not meet the guidelines. Hierarchical binary logistic regression indicated behavioral strategies for PA was the only significant correlate of meeting the national guidelines for muscle-strengthening PA (odds ratio = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [1.18, 1.65], p <.001). Discussion/Conclusion: Results support a hypothesis that instructing Latinas to use behavior change strategies could help them increase muscle-strengthening PA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)437-445
Number of pages9
JournalHealth Education and Behavior
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hispanic women
  • exercise
  • muscle-strengthening exercise
  • physical activity
  • psychosocial factors
  • resistance training

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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