Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Department of Psychology, St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.
J Am Coll Health. 2020 Apr;68(3):219-222. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1549048. Epub 2019 Jan 15.
Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. : A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown ( = 5.56, = 2.81, < .05, 95% CI [1.31, 12.78], = .0843). Results suggest that anxiety sensitivity partially explains gender differences in physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity reduction interventions might increase physical activity participation and reduce the existing gender gap.
女性高等教育学生的身体活动量通常比男性少。鉴于女性的焦虑敏感度更高（即，对唤醒相关的身体感觉的恐惧），而焦虑敏感度与身体活动参与度呈负相关，本研究旨在确定焦虑敏感度是否在身体活动的自我报告中调节了性别差异。在 2017 年 9 月，802 名高等教育学生完成了焦虑敏感指数-3 和生活方式问卷。女性报告的身体活动量明显较少，焦虑敏感度明显更高。焦虑敏感度与自我报告的身体活动量呈显著负相关。通过焦虑敏感度，性别对身体活动的显著间接影响显示（ = 5.56， = 2.81， < .05，95%CI [1.31, 12.78]， = .0843）。结果表明，焦虑敏感度部分解释了身体活动的性别差异。减少焦虑敏感度的干预措施可能会增加身体活动的参与度，并缩小现有的性别差距。
