Applying the Socioecological Model to Map Factors Associated with Military Physical Activity Adherence

Golan Benisti () and Orna Baron-Epel
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Golan Benisti: Peres Academic Center, Rehovot 7610202, Israel
Orna Baron-Epel: School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) within the military can have large effects on the soldier’s health, productivity, and ability to meet tasks. This study aims to identify the factors associated with PA adherence during military service, applying the socioecological model, which classifies the factors influencing health behaviors into individual, social, and environmental levels. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among 500 soldiers aged 18 to 49 years in the Israeli Defense Forces. Statistical analysis to assess associations between PA and individual, social, and environmental factors included correlations, variance analyses, and multivariable linear regression. PA rates were higher among men soldiers in combat positions. Individual level factors, such as intention to perform PA (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy regarding PA (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) were associated with PA among men and women. However, social norms were associated with PA only among men (β = 0.24, p < 0.001). The physical environment was not associated with PA adherence (β = −0.04, p = 0.210). Conclusions: Developing interventions on the individual level for all military personnel and interventions on the social level, mainly for men, could help increase levels of PA in the military.

Keywords: physical activity; barriers; motives; military; intentions; knowledge; survey; IDF; social norms; physical environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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