ABSTRACT
There are numerous classifications of physical activities (PAs). However, they lack precise grouping criteria and tend to vary according to each author. Among other factors, the individual's level of motivation is considered an important aspect of PA maintenance. In this study, we aimed to (1) compare several PAs according to intrinsic (Interest, Enjoyment, and Competence) and extrinsic (Appearance, Fitness/Health, and Social) motives and (2) analyze PAs with and without previous grouping to explore which PAs are more similar based on the different motivational subscales. We recruited 1,421 physically active Brazilian participants (mean age = 26.83, SD = 10.49). The participants stated which PA they practiced most frequently, and they answered the revised motivation for PA measure. The data were analyzed with multivariate general linear models and Kruskal-Wallis. We found that some PAs consistently differed from others regarding motivational subscales. For example, participants practicing Walking showed less Interest/Enjoyment and Competence motives than participants engaged in several other PAs. Pilates was highlighted by a particularly low level of Social motivation in comparison to other PAs. Furthermore, using the previously suggested categorization of PAs, we also showed consistent distinctions considering each motivational subscale. Specifically, one group of PA (categorized as more Complex, Team, Vigorous, Hybrid, and Combative) scored higher on intrinsic motivation, while the other group of activities (categorized as more Organized, Individual, Moderate, Strength, and Rhythmic) scored higher on Appearance and Fitness/Health motives. Our results thus provide initial evidence for possible new methods of grouping PA types that can improve maintenance behavior using motivation as a grouping factor.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Despite the well-known benefits for health, low levels of physical activity (PA) remain a public health issue. Research on motives for engaging in different PA shows differences in motives for Sports and Exercises. However, few studies addressed motives using more categories of PA. In this research, we investigated motives for four categories of PA (Individual Sports, Collective Sports, Exercises, and Body/Movement Practices), and possible effects of sex and age among 1,420 physically active individuals. Respondents answered the Motivation for Physical Activity Measure Revised. Intrinsic motives were higher for Sports, while Exercisers were motivated more extrinsically. Body/Movement Practices, although being composed of several activities defined by previous studies as Exercises, showed a motivational pattern closer to Sports. Fitness/Health motivation increased with age, while Appearance motivation decreased. Regarding sex, women reported higher Interest/Enjoyment than men. Our results can have implications for physical activities promotion, especially considering more categories than Sports/Exercises in the context of different motives.
Resumo Apesar de amplamente conhecidos os benefícios à saúde relacionados à prática de atividade física (AF), o baixo nível de participação segue sendo um problema de saúde pública. Pesquisas anteriores mostraram diferenças motivacionais consistentes entre Esportes e Exercícios. Entretanto, poucos estudos focaram em categorizações mais amplas. Nesta pesquisa, investigamos motivações para prática de quatro categorias de AFs (Esportes Individuais, Esportes Coletivos, Exercícios e Práticas Corporais), assim como possíveis efeitos do sexo e idade em 1.420 indivíduos fisicamente ativos, os quais responderam à Medida de Motivação para Atividade Física Revisada (Motivation for Physical Activity Measure Revised). As motivações intrínsecas foram maiores para os Esportes, enquanto as extrínsecas para os Exercícios. A categoria de Práticas Corporais, embora composta por várias atividades definidas como Exercícios por estudos anteriores, mostrou um padrão motivacional mais próximo dos Esportes. A motivação de Condicionamento/Saúde aumentou com a idade, enquanto a de Aparência seguiu o padrão inverso. Com relação ao sexo, as mulheres reportaram maior Interesse/Prazer que os homens. Nossos resultados podem ter implicações para a promoção de atividades físicas, sobretudo ao se considerar categorias mais abrangentes que Esportes/Exercícios e sua associação às diferentes motivações para prática.
Résumé Malgré les bénéfices bien connus des activités sportives (PA), leur faibles niveau de pratique reste un problème de santé publique. Les motifs de la pratique des Pas sont différents pour les sports et les exercices. Cependant, peu d'études ont abordé les motifs de la pratique des PAs en utilisant des catégories plus nombreuses. Dans cet article, nous étudions les motivations pour quatre catégories de PAs (sport individuel, sport collectif, exercices, et pratiques corporelles), et les effets possibles du sexe et de l'âge parmi 1420 individus actifs physiquement. Les participants ont répondu au questionnaire de mesure révisée de la motivation pour les activités physique (MPAMR). Les motivations intrinsèques furent supérieures pour les sports, alors que les praticants des exercices physiques furent plus motivés extrinsèquement. Les pratiques corporelles, bien que composées de plusieurs activités définies dans d'autres études comme exercices, ont montrés un patron de motivations plus proches des sports. Les motivations lié à la santé/forme physique augmentent avec l'âge, alors que les motivations liée à l'apparence diminuent. En ce qui concerne le sexe, les femmes rapportent un intérêt/attrait plus fort que les hommes. Nos résultats sont importants pour la promotion des activités sportives, en particulier quand il s'agit de considérer des catégories autres que les sports et les exercices dans le contexte de l'étude des différentes motivations.
Resumen Los bajos niveles de actividad física (AF) continúan siendo un asunto de salud pública, a pesar de ser bien conocidos sus beneficios para la salud. La investigación sobre los motivos para participar en distintas AFs muestra diferencias en la motivación hacia los deportes y ejercicios. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han abordado los motivos para practicar AFs usando más categorías de AF. En este estudio investigamos las motivaciones hacia cuatro categorías de AFs (Deportes Individuales, Deportes Colectivos, Ejercicios y Prácticas Corporales) y los posibles efectos de la edad y el sexo, en una muestra de 1420 individuos físicamente activos. Los participantes respondieron la Medida de la Motivación para la Actividad Física- Revisada (Motivation for Physical Activity Measure Revised). La motivación intrínseca fue más alta para los Deportes mientras que la motivación extrínseca primó en el Ejercicio. La Prácticas Corporales, a pesar de estar compuestas por actividades previamente definidas como Ejercicios, mostraron un patrón motivacional más cercano a los Deportes. La motivación Aptitud/Salud aumentó con la edad, mientras que la motivación por la Apariencia disminuyó. En cuanto al sexo, las mujeres relataron mayor Interés/Diversión que los hombres. Nuestr Motivaciones, Deporte, Ejercicio, Práctica Corporal os resultados pueden tener implicaciones en la promoción de las actividades físicas, especialmente al considerar otras categorías además de Deportes/Ejercicios en el contexto de las diferencias de motivación.
