The relationship of locus-of-control, self-efficacy, value placed on physical fitness, expectancy of reinforcement, and value of reinforcement in predicting college students' physical fitness behavior

The purpose of this study was to investigate several aspects of social learning theory by examining the perceived locus of control of reinforcement of college students in relation to physical fitness self-efficacy. The variables of locus of control, self-efficacy, value placed on physical fitness, expectancy of reinforcement, and value of reinforcement specific to physical fitness behaviors were studied in relation to participation in physical fitness activity. More specifically, the Physical Fitness Opinion Survey (FITQUEST) was developed to examine the relationship of these five factors in understanding and predicting college student physical fitness behavior. In addition to asking demographic data, the FITQUEST included the following six measures: the locus of control of reinforcement of physical fitness scale (FIT-LOC); the physical fitness self-efficacy scale (FITSEF); the physical fitness value scale (FITVAL); the physical fitness expectancy of reinforcement scale (FITEOR); the physical fitness value of reinforcement scale (FITVOR); and the physical fitness activity measure (FITPAC). The subjects for this study included 211 students who attend colleges and universities in the Riverside/San Bernardino area. Data analysis was accomplished through descriptions of the demographic characteristics, reliability of the questionnaire scales, factor analyses, zero-order correlations, and multiple regression analyses.;Results indicated that specific locus of control measures combined with general values held toward physical fitness have little effectiveness in predicting college student participation in physical fitness activities. The only factors that appear to predict college students' participation in health-related physical fitness activities are self-efficacy and value reinforcement for fitness.