Objective: To evaluate the correlates of physical activity (PA) participation among white and black individuals with diagnosed arthritis.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design, grounded in the Social Ecological Model. Participants (N = 205) completed a survey regarding PA participation and potential correlates of PA. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the correlates of PA.
Results: Nearly 30% of the population met the current guidelines for aerobic PA. A greater proportion of Whites (35.3%) than Blacks (20.9%) met current guidelines (χ(2) = 4.98, p = .03). In bivariate analyses, ethnicity, income, body mass index, self-efficacy for exercise, exercise outcome expectations, physical function, physician advice to exercise, and perceived safety from neighborhood crime and traffic were associated with meeting PA guidelines (p < .05). In regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, exercise self-efficacy and physician's advice to exercise were the only significant predictors of PA (p < .05). This finding was confirmed with stepwise forward regression.
Conclusions: PA interventions for people with arthritis should focus on enhancing self-efficacy for exercise and include strategies to optimize communication about PA by healthcare providers.