Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

01-Oct-2020

Arch Hellen Med, 37(5), September-October 2020, 671-676

ORIGINAL PAPER

Attitudes and intentions related to health behaviors among police academy cadets.
An application of the "Theory of Planned Behavior"

E. Bebetsos
School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece

OBJECTIVE To investigate possible differences in relation to health behaviors among police academy cadets, in relation to (a) smoking and (b) exercise.

METHOD The survey was conducted using the "Theory of Planned Behavior" questionnaire, with 202 police cadets, 118 men and 84 women, aged 18–24 years.

RESULTS Analysis of variance revealed that there were differences between smokers and non-smokers in exercise and health behaviors. Older cadets exhibited more positive exercise behavior, and the older the individual, the greater his(her) involvement in and knowledge about sport activities in his(her) free time.

CONCLUSIONS Behavior recording is an important tool for future information and for future modification, if necessary, of the attitudes and intentions of professional police officers.

Key words: Exercise, Planned behavior, Police academy cadets, Smoking.