Adults' Motivation for Physical Activity: Differentiating Motives for Exercise, Sport, and Recreation

Abstract

Physical inactivity continues to be a significant problem that adversely impacts adult health. An important construct to consider in researching adult physical activity adherence is motivation. Factors motivating participation in two types of physical activity, exercise and sport, have been compared; however, factors motivating participation in another type of physical activity, recreation, have often been left out of the comparison. The current study compared motivation to partake in physical activity among adults whose primary type of physical activity was exercise, sport, or recreation. Results indicate that participation motivation significantly varied among physical activity types (exercise, sport, and recreation). It was found that the participants who engaged in recreation as their primary form of physical activity and the participants who took part in exercise as their primary form of physical activity had motivations that were more similar to one another's than to those of the participants who use sport as their primary form of physical activity. Specifically, the findings suggest that participants who use exercise and recreation activities as their primary form of physical activity are motivated by more extrinsic constructs, compared to those who engage in sport as their primary form of physical activity. Findings provide insight that can be used to facilitate improved adherence to physical activity recommendations.

Understanding college student’s motivation for physical activity participation: The role of gender, sport type and activity level

“…Although the reasons for participation to physical activity are highly complex, one of the most significant factors that stimulate and maintain physical activity participation is motivation . Motivation is a psychological concept that encourage an individual toward a desired goal and is regarded a psychological force that includes the intention and direction to engage in a certain behavior (Ball, Bice, & Parry, 2014). Motives has a key role in every aspect of life, in participation to physical activity as well (Çetin, 2013).…”

Do Athletic Experiences Lead to Desirable Workplace Motivation? A Proposed Exploratory Framework

“…Whereas in a study that examined motivational orientations, it was found that participants who used exercise and recreation activities as their primary form of physical activity are motivated by more extrinsic constructs (i.e., weight management) than those who engage in sports. Those that used sport as their primary form of physical activity reported more intrinsically motivated orientations, like competition and enjoyment (Ball, Bice, & Parry, 2014). These studies begin to portray a complex picture of how individual identity could be tied to the type of athletic endeavors.…”

Tourism Potential for Recreational Sports

“…James Warren Ball and colleagues [6] stated that recreational sports are the main factor that can nurture the fitness and physical resilience of adults in the city of Chicago, but consistency in exercising should be owned by everyone in order for physical fitness to be retained, to further assist the consistency it is necessary the presence of a good and comfortable area for adults to do sports that its nature of recreation. Thus, it can be explained that the development of tourist areas as a recreational sports field worth doing for the interests and needs of many communities.…”