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

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed to examine the bright and dark sides of motivation, based on self‐determination theory, as predictors of enjoyment, intention to continue exercising, and exercise persistence. In addition, we analyzed the mediation role of each variable and tested the model invariance between male and female exercisers. Methods A total of 575 gym exercisers (female = 230) aged between 18 and 65 years (M = 34.07; SD = 11.47) participated in this study. All participants had at least 6 months of regular exercise practice; exercise frequency of the participants ranged from 2 to 7 sessions per week (M = 3.52; SD = 1.28) and training sessions lasted approximately 30 and 120 minutes (M = 61.54; SD = 17.64). Participants completed a multisection questionnaire assessing interpersonal behaviors, basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration, behavioral regulations, enjoyment, and intentions to continue exercising. Exercise persistence was assessed 6 months after initial assessment using gym computer system attendance records. Several analyses, namely, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, serial mediation analysis, and structural invariance testing, were performed to increase theoretical and empirical knowledge. Results Positive associations were observed among the bright side of motivation, enjoyment, intention to continue exercising, and persistence. On the other hand, the dark side of motivation was negatively associated with the bright side constructs, enjoyment, intention, and exercise persistence. Both measurement [χ2(370) = 1496.708, χ2/df = 4.05; B‐S P < .001, CFI = 0.907, TLI = 0.901, SRMR = 0.056, RMSEA = 0.073 (CI 90% = 0.063, 0.083)] and structural models [χ2(393) = 2484.994, χ2/df = 6.323; B‐S P < .001, CFI = 0.908, TLI = 0.900, SRMR = 0.075, RMSEA = 0.071 (CI 90% = 0.067, 0.075)] displayed acceptable fit to the data. The results also showed that basic psychological needs satisfaction, autonomous motivation, enjoyment, and intention to continue exercising were significant mediators. However, enjoyment had the highest effect on exercise persistence. In addition, structural model invariance was confirmed between male and female exercisers. Conclusion Motivational determinants have implications for predicting emotional, cognitive, and behavior‐related outcomes. Individuals should perceive exercise instructors as supportive and exercising as a fun activity to endorse long‐term exercise persistence.

Using Bodyweight as Resistance Can Be a Promising Avenue to Promote Interval Training: Enjoyment Comparisons to Treadmill-Based Protocols

“…The possible differences between physiological and psychological preparedness to increase training workload reinforce the importance of qualitative or quantitative psychological assessment throughout training, and further studies are needed to elucidate these aspects. In addition, it should be noted that SIT-WB participants had a certain level of autonomy over their training intensity, which may have also been important in satisfying basic psychological needs promoting autonomous motivation and enjoyment (Rodrigues et al, 2020). Improved fitness through training may also have served to build up competence and help maintain enjoyment over time (Heisz et al, 2016).…”

“…The majority of studies that investigated perceived enjoyment, however, assessed only acute responses to a single bout and, therefore, these might not reflect the overall enjoyment of a longer-term training program. Rodrigues et al (2020) observed that exercise enjoyment had the strongest effect on persistence to exercise over a 6-month period in gym exercisers and, accordingly, suggested that enjoyment is important for maintaining exercise participation. Presently, however, it is not clear whether the same association is upheld in interval training interventions, not even in healthy adult individuals.…”

“…Furthermore, intention is thought to be possibly the largest and most reliable predictor of physical activity (Rhodes & Rebar, 2017), and affective judgments, such as enjoyment, are also moderators of the intention-behavior gap (Rhodes & Dickau, 2013). Thus, experiencing and/or maintaining enjoyable exercise experiences may be important for adoption and maintenance of an exercise program (Rodrigues et al, 2020).…”

Passion or Perseverance? The Effect of Perceived Autonomy Support and Grit on Academic Performance in College Students

“…Thus, future studies should assess the possibility of specific paths between need-supportive and need-thwarting behaviors on BPN satisfaction and also needs frustration on cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Recent studies [49] have shown that motivational sequences co-occur, displaying significant differences among a bright and a dark side of motivation. Given the ongoing importance of understanding the predictability of grit in cognitive and behavioral outcomes, this study opens doors to new research questions on how grit experimentally manipulated could account for changes in college grades.…”

Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Usefulness of Technologies for Engaging in Physical Activity: Using Focus Groups to Explore Physical Literacy

“…In contrast, external motivation is a state in which individuals' behavior is controlled by specific external factors [36]. Several studies indicate that individuals who exhibited self-determined types of regulation show more persistence in PA engagement [37], exercise adherence [38], PA intentions [39], and enjoyment of physical exercise [40]. Participants in the current study reported that wearing the Fitbit and playing exergames were enjoyable experiences and expressed their wishes to continue the exercise programs.…”