The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) Portuguese-Version: Evidence of Reliability, Validity and Invariance Across Gender

Abstract

This study has as prime objective to analyze the psychometric properties of the Behavioral Regulation Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) in a sample of Portuguese exercisers and invariance across gender. Two independent samples (448 calibration; 374 validation), aged between 16 and 78 years (M = 40.29; SD = 16.24), of both gender, (495 female; 327 male) were enrolled in this study. The results show that the original model (six factors; 24 items) did not fit to the data in a satisfactory way (χ2 = 977.49; df = 237; B-S p < 0.001; SRMR = 0.07; NNFI = 0.80; CFI = 0.83; RMSEA = 0.08; 90% CI = 0.08–0.09). After removing six items (one for each factor), the model (six factors; 18 items) adjustment improved in a satisfactory way in both samples: calibration (χ2 = 331.86; df = 120; B-S p < 0.001; SRMR = 0.06; NNFI = 0.91; CFI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.06; 90% CI 0.06–0.07) and validation (χ2 = 254.08; df = 120; B-S p < 0.001; SRMR = 0.04; NNFI = 0.93; CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.06; 90% CI = 0.05–0.06). Results also showed model invariance across gender (ΔCFI ≤ 0.01). The Portuguese version of BREQ-3 (six factors; 18 items) is a valid and reliable measurement instrument to measure behavior regulation underlying self-determination theory in the exercise domain. However, the evidence also indicated that additional studies are needed to address the fragilities of the original model (six factors; 24 items).

The bright and dark sides of motivation as predictors of enjoyment, intention, and exercise persistence

“…These authors also explain that the mere occurrence of the behavior indicates that at least some motivation is present, even if the individual feels confused or helpless with respect to behavior participation. Past studies support the use of this scale for measuring behavioral regulations in Portuguese exercisers . The measurement model of BREQ‐3 in the present study displayed the following fit: [χ 2 (120) = 384.421, χ 2 /df = 3.20; B‐S P < .001, CFI = 0.938, TLI = 0.921, SRMR = 0.057, RMSEA = 0.062 (CI 90% = 0.055, 0.069)].…”

“…Past studies support the use of this scale for measuring behavioral regulations in Portuguese exercisers. 15,26 The measurement model of BREQ-3 in the present study displayed the following fit: [χ 2 (120) = 384.421, χ 2 /df = 3.20; B-S P < .001, CFI = 0.938, TLI = 0.921, SRMR = 0.057, RMSEA = 0.062 (CI 90% = 0.055, 0.069)].…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, no study has ever tested between genders the HMIEM sequence, or structural invariance, much less the current hypothesized model in the exercise context. Nevertheless, existing studies testing multigroup analysis on motivational determinants have shown that male and female individuals experience exercise participation in a similar manner, regulate their behavior toward exercise equally, and perceive enjoyment in a similar way when exercising …”

The role of dark‐side of motivation and intention to continue in exercise: A self‐determination theory approach

“…The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire Portuguese version (Cid et al ., ) was used to measure behavioral regulations, namely: amotivation (three items: e.g., “I do not see why I am still exercising”), external regulation (three items: e.g., “I exercise because of external rewards, such as social recognition”), and introjected regulation (three items: e.g. “I feel ashamed when I skip a training session”).…”

“…Items were assigned a five‐point scale ranging from zero ( totally disagree ) to four ( totally agree ). Past research supports the use of this scale in measuring behavioral regulations in Portuguese exercisers (Cid, Monteiro, Teixeira et al ., ; Teixeira et al ., ).…”