AU - Mohammadi, M. AU - Mehri, A. TI - Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Predict Exercise Activities in the Students of Islamic Azad University of Sabzevar PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE TA - Alborz-Health JN - Alborz-Health VO - 1 VI - 2 IP - 2 4099 - http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-33-en.html 4100 - http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-33-en.pdf SO - Alborz-Health 2 ABĀ  - Background: Based on report of World Health Organization (WHO), about 60-85% of the world's population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required to induce health benefits. It is necessary to assess health status for designing and programming about exercise activities. In this study the effectiveness of Transtheoretical Model (TTM) in predicting exercise activities among the students of Islmaic Azad University of Sabzevar was examined. Methods: In this cross sectional-Correlational study. A random (clustered) sample of 234 university students in Islamic Azad university of Sabzevar, participated in the study. A standard instrument was used to measure the variables of interest based on transtheoretical model. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire was examined by a panel of experts and cronbach alpha (N=30, α=0.83-0.95). The data were analyzed by SPSS 16.00 statistical software using Path analysis based regression, t-test and ANOVA and Correlation. Results: According to the results, the average age of students was 22.5±3.8 years. The distribution of the participants according to the stages of change model was as follows: pre-contemplation 36.3%, contemplation 25.6%, preparation, 18.9%, action, 10.5% and maintenance 8.7%.These were significant differences between mean of self efficacy, process of change, decisional balance by sex (p<0.05) and stages of change (p<0.01). Behavioral process of change (β=0.399) and self efficacy (β=0.350) were the most important variables for improving levels of exercise. Conclusion: Because the most students (62%) were at precontemplation, contemplation and preparation stages and the results showed that behavioral process of change perceived barriers and self efficacy are the most important predictors for improving levels of exercise. Thus, policies and programs to strengthen these factors to promote exercise activities among students is recommended. CP - IRAN IN - Department of Health Education. School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Lecturer LG - eng PB - Alborz-Health PG - 85 PT - Research YR - 2012