Exercise Interests, Identity, And Motivations Across Levels Of Activity And Exercise Preferences: What Moves You?

Abstract

Despite numerous benefits of engaging in adequate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), nearly half of US adults do not meet activity guidelines. Exercise motivations have been positively associated with MVPA; however, little research has investigated exercise interests and identity across levels of MVPA and exercise mode preferences. PURPOSE: To determine differences in exercise identity, interests, and motivations across levels of MVPA and exercise mode preferences. METHODS: US adults (n=170; age 34.1±13.9 y) completed a survey consisting of the Exercise Identity Scale, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire, and Exercise Interest Scale. Demographic information, MVPA and exercise preferences were also reported. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to determine differences across quartiles of MVPA and exercise mode preferences. RESULTS: Exercise identity was significantly lower in Q1 (35.3±12.6) than Q3 (48.8±10.5, p<0.001) and Q4 (53.2±10.7, p<0.001). Exercise interests were different across quartiles with Q1 reporting lower scores in the challenge (p<0.01) and creativity (p<0.05) subscales. Intrinsic motivations (p≤0.001) were different across quartiles of MVPA with higher motivations with increased MVPA. Exercise interests differed across exercise preference, specifically in the outdoor (p<0.001), competition (p=0.001), social (p=0.04), and challenge (p=0.02) subscales. People who prefer outdoor exercise had significantly higher outdoor interest scores (14.1±1.9) compared to those who prefer group (11.3±3.0), individual (11.4±2.9), or sport activities (11.8±2.7; p≤0.005 for all). Further, people who prefer sports had higher competition interest (11.1±2.9) than group (8.1±3.0), individual (8.6±2.9), or outdoor activities (8.4±3.4; p≤0.006 for all). There were no differences in exercise motivation or identity across exercise mode preferences (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest exercise identity, interests, and intrinsic motivations may play an important role in MVPA engagement. Further, exercise preference could be determined using the Exercise Interest Scale. Future research should investigate the association between exercise interests, identity and motivations and long-term adherence to MVPA in previously inactive individuals.