Assessment of Self-Determined Motivation in Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

systematic review and meta-analysis to assess associations between types of self-determined motivation in exercise with selected parameters of studies using Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaires (BREQs). Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we screened 244 studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus against criteria and selected 43 articles for qualitative synthesis. Of those, 40 studies reporting mean scores and standard deviations of six regulations of BREQs, representing self-determined motivation types, were selected for meta-analysis. The pooled mean scores were the highest in intrinsic regulation at 4.00 (95%CI: 2.92–5.09), followed by identified, integrated, introjected, external, and motivation regulations at 3.65 (95%CI: 3.06–4.24), 3.11 (95%CI: 2.68–3.55), 2.21 (95%CI: 1.88–2.53), 1.42 (95%CI: 0.93–1.92), and 0.94 (95%CI: 0.67–1.12), respectively. Findings indicated significant associations between longer exercise duration and introjected (β = 0.014, p = 0.027) and identified (β = 0.014, p = 0.021) regulations. An inverse relationship was found with a higher female participation rate (β=-0.047, p=0.042), while exercise settings in sports and fitness centers exhibited a stronger association with intrinsic motivations (β=2.700, p=0.039). No significant differences were observed among the versions of BREQs in measuring self-determined motivation. This investigation of context invariance utilizing the particular validated scale contributes to furthering comprehension of the instrument in sports and fitness settings. Additionally, it is essential to take into account sex and the exercise environment concerning self-determined motivation when predicting long-term exercise adherence. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-02-08 Full Text: PDF

Initial Construction of the Exercise Maintenance Motivation Scale: A Mixed-Method Study

“…Furthermore, prior research concentrated on validating motivation scales in diverse workout environments, including public areas [25,31,39], academic institutions [37,38], medical settings [40,41], and gym and sports facilities [42][43][44], where those engaged in exercise have consistently reported higher motivation levels compared to other exercise settings. This strong positive association has also been linked to long-term exercise adherence [45]. When utilizing the same measuring instruments, however, prior research has not revealed significant variations in the specific items of exercise motives in the scale's construction for individuals who work out in fitness facilities as opposed to other settings.…”

Exercise Motivation among Fitness Center Members: A Combined Qualitative and Q-Sorting Approach

“…Engaging in diverse activities within the fitness environment, coupled with commitment-building strategies and bolstering encouragement from both staff and fellow members, serves to enhance the overall exercise experience, thereby nurturing a conducive atmosphere for sustained participation [5]. Interestingly, findings of a recent systematic review indicated that FC members reported higher motivation levels compared to those who exercised in other settings [16], such as public areas [17], academic institutions [18], and healthcare facilities [19,20].…”