196047 Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Yoga: Predicting Regular Yoga Class Attendance

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Brandon Eggleston, PhD , Health Services Program, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN
Susan E. Middlestadt, PhD , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Yoga is a popular mind-body activity that can lead to many health benefits including stress management and weight loss. Limited research has been conducted exploring factors that are related to regularity of yoga practice and class attendance. This presentation is part 3 of 3 regarding what determines voluntary participation of attending yoga classes.

Results identified that perceived behavioral control and intention were able to explain a significant amount of variance related to attending yoga classes (p < 0.01). Specifically, individuals that believed time and money were less of a barrier attended more yoga classes. Individuals that believed yoga was an activity that increased balance, flexibility, and relaxation were more likely to attend yoga classes. Yoga instructors may what to design class offerings and packages that decrease the cost and increase the ease of finding the time to attend yoga classes. Individuals that attend yoga classes were not significantly influence by the approval or disapproval by subjective norm of important referents.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss findings of relationship of intention and actual attendance to yoga classes. Explain how overcoming the barriers and increasing facilitators can increase the frequency of yoga class attendance. Evaluate what constitutes a yoga practice and the possible outcomes of yoga practice

Keywords: Physical Activity, Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Assistant Professor of Public Health and Biostatistics. I designed this study, collected and analyzed data, and was the primary author on all dissemination efforts.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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