Analysis of the Motivational Levels of Men and Women Amateur Runners

Abstract

Introduction: Running has proved to be one of the most popular physical activity with great benefits for the population health and psychological well being. However, it is also an activity with high discontinuity rates. Objective: The present study aimed was to verify if there are differences in the motivational dimensions by sex in a group of Brazilian amateur runners. Methods: Two hundred Brazilian runners (33.95 ± 11.38 years old), being 91 women and 109 men, answered The Inventory of Motivation to Regular Physical Activity and Sport (IMPRAFE-54). All volunteers practiced running on a regular basis. All participants answered the questionnaires before starting the training session. Results: The dimensions Pleasure and Health; Aesthetics, Sociability and Stress Control; and Competitiveness respectively were more important for the runners. It was found a significant difference (p<0.05), with a higher mean for men, on Sociability dimension. The dimensions statistically higher were Pleasure and Health, with a very similar motivational perception for both sexes. Only the Sociability dimension showed significant difference between men and women. All values of Mean’s Rank were superior in the men runners. Conclusions: The reasons for the practice of running between men and women Brazilian runners are similar. Only the Sociability dimension showed a significant difference by sex, indicating a higher perception of this dimension among men. Pleasure and Health were the most important factor in both sexes of Brazilian runners.