Predictors and Acceptability of Shared Physical Activity Participation in Parent–Child Dyads

Abstract

Shared physical activity (PA) in children and their parents is an approach to increase PA participation for both children and adults. Understanding variables associated with shared PA is essential to inform effective, tailored PA interventions for families. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors and to assess the acceptability of shared PA in parent – child dyads. Each parent – child dyad ( n = 31; mean ± SD age, parents: 38.0 ± 6.6 yr, children: 5.9 ± 1.7 yr) was guided through five standardized PAs (brisk walking, jumping games, body-weight exercises, dancing, and tag games) at a research fitness center. Parents reported demographic characteristics and PA-related variables (i.e., PA self-efficacy, family chaos, and annual household income). One week later, parents ( n = 28) reported their dyad ’ s weekly minutes spent in shared PA. A forward selection procedure was used to determine the optimal regression model for predicting minutes of shared PA. McNemar ’ s tests were used to determine the dyad ’ s acceptability of each shared PA. Lower family chaos ( β = − 19.41, P = 0.034), higher parent body mass index ( β = 7.65, P = 0.003), and higher annual household income ( β = 11.85, P = 0.023) predicted minutes of shared PA. Jumping games, body-weight exercises, dancing, and tag games were not acceptable for parent – child dyads to participate in together ( P < 0.05). Brisk walking was an acceptable shared PA ( P = 0.125). Lower family chaos, higher parent body mass index, and higher annual household income predicted shared PA. Brisk walking was an acceptable PA for parent – child dyads to participate outside of a research laboratory setting. These results can aid future PA programs that include children and parents together.