Explaining Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Through Motivation and Perceived Service Quality: A Structural Equation Model.

The study aims to examine the associations between exercise self-efficacy, motivation, physical activity, and body composition among emerging adults. Cross-sectional. A convenience sample of 147 emerging adults participated in the Releasing Weight (RELEW) project. The InBody720 analyzer was used to measure body composition, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short, the Shortened Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire were used to measure self-reported physical activity, self-efficacy, and motivation. Structural Equation Modeling was used to exam the complex relationships among multiple variables. in this study. The Partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis with bootstrapping in Smart PLS 3 was employed to explore the path coefficients and t-values for the relationships that were thought to exist. Significance was determined using a threshold of p < 0.05. The mean age of 147 participants was 18.5 ± 1.87, of whom 51.7% were female, recruited for this study. Exercise self-efficacy has a significant positive correlation with exercise motivation (r = 0.220, p = 0.008) and physical activity (r = 0.279, p < 0.001). Exercise motivation does not demonstrate significant associations with physical activity (r = 0.094, p = 0.298). Utilizing SEM, the model explained 9.2% of exercise self-efficacy, 11.8% of physical activity, and 68.3% of body composition variance. Mediation analysis revealed that exercise self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity (β = 0.106, t = 2.538, p < 0.05), and physical activity partially mediated the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and body composition (β = -0.296, t = 4.280, p < 0.001). This study sheds light on the complex relationships among motivation, self-efficacy, physical activity and body composition during emerging adulthood. Our results highlight the mediating role of self-efficacy and its impact on physical activity behaviors, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions and policy development to improve health outcomes in this demographic.

This study aimed to examine the relationships among psychological resilience, exercise motivation, and sports participation in adolescents, with a focus on demographic differences, the mediating role of exercise motivation, and structural invariance across gender. A total of 2,588 adolescents from grades 7 to 12 were recruited using stratified random sampling, ensuring representation across school levels and rural-urban residence. Demographic differences were analyzed using independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to conduct mediation analysis and multi-group invariance testing. Significant demographic differences were observed. Males reported higher levels of psychological resilience, exercise motivation, and sports participation compared to females (p < 0.001). High school students demonstrated greater psychological resilience and exercise motivation, whereas middle school students exhibited higher sports participation. Rural adolescents outperformed urban counterparts across all key variables (p < 0.001), highlighting the influence of environmental factors on adolescents' physical activity. The mediation analysis confirmed that exercise motivation significantly mediated the relationship between psychological resilience and sports participation, with indirect effects accounting for 60.26% of the total effect (p < 0.001). Model fit indices (CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR) demonstrated a good model fit, supporting the validity of the proposed relationships. Structural invariance testing further indicated consistent relationships across genders, affirming the robustness and generalizability of the model. These findings highlight the importance of psychological resilience and exercise motivation in promoting adolescents' sports participation. The study provides empirical evidence and practical insights for designing targeted interventions to support diverse demographic groups and enhance long-term physical activity engagement among adolescents.

University students’ sedentary behavior, insufficient sleep, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits, compounded by social competition, academic pressure, and digital “screen dependence,” have exacerbated mental health issues and health risks. A health-promoting lifestyle, as a proactive approach to improving well-being, is a key pathway to alleviating these challenges. This study explores the relationship between health-promoting lifestyles and physical and mental health, providing scientific evidence for university health interventions. Method: A stratified random sampling method was used to select 1,383 male undergraduate students as the study sample. During the spring semester of 2021, researchers distributed a demographic questionnaire, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II Revised (HPLP-II-R), and the Self-Rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS V1.0. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 1,245 valid questionnaires were collected. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, employing independent sample t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and regression analysis (1) The overall level of health-promoting lifestyle among the participants was moderate (2.43±0.37), with relatively low scores in the dimensions of physical exercise (2.15±0.46) and health responsibility (1.87±0.43); factors such as grade, place of origin, only-child status, and academic pressure all had an influence. (2) The overall self-rated health of the participants was at a suboptimal level (68.10±6.36), with only-child status and parental education level significantly affecting students’ self-rated health. (3) The total score of health-promoting lifestyle was significantly positively correlated with the total self-rated health score (r=0.512, p &lt; 0.01), and the dimensions of health-promoting lifestyle were significantly negatively correlated with psychological symptoms and negative emotions (r=-0.236, p &lt; 0.01). Interpersonal relationships (β=0.332, p &lt; 0.01), spiritual growth (β=0.248, p &lt; 0.01), physical exercise (β=0.116, p &lt; 0.01), and nutrition (β=0.089, p &lt; 0.05) were significant predictors of self-rated health (1) The health-promoting lifestyle among the participants requires improvement; specifically, the dimensions of physical exercise and health responsibility, with targeted guidance provided according to different student characteristics. Overall, students’ self-rated health is at a suboptimal level, with particularly low self-rated mental health. (2) There is a significant positive correlation between a health-promoting lifestyle and self-rated health. Specifically, the dimensions of interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, physical exercise, and nutrition significantly predict overall self-rated health levels; interpersonal relationships and nutrition predict self-rated physical health levels; spiritual growth predicts self-rated mental health levels; and interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth predict self-rated social health levels.

Self-determination theory has demonstrated the importance of intrinsic motivation for exercise adherence, however, extrinsic motivations have received less research attention, and research has demonstrated that many people are extrinsically motivated for exercise. With a focus on extrinsic motivations, this study compared participant ratings of a series of common psychological, physical, health and social exercise motivations and examined how the motivations (including extrinsic and intrinsic) were associated with exercise adherence. Participants (812 college students) completed an online survey detailing their exercise patterns and motivations. Total exercise scores were calculated by assigning MET values to exercise bouts using the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire and the Borg measure. The Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 dimensions were used to measure exercise motivations. The top rated motivations were strength and endurance, positive health, appearance, and weight management. Linear regression analysis revealed weight management, stress management, enjoyment, and competition as predictors of exercise for the sample group. With the exception of weight management, the motivations that predicted exercise adherence were not within the most important motivations for the participant sample. Enjoyment, which by definition is an intrinsic motivation, was predictive of exercise adherence, but rated lower than other health, psychological and physical motivations. Appearance was identified as a highly rated, yet negative predictor of exercise for female participants. Participants demonstrated strong extrinsic motivations for exercise. Further research is needed to determine how those prominent extrinsic motivations can be developed into more self-determined reasons for exercise.

One of the key questions in human behavior is how social environment facilitates individuals’ behavior change. Trans-contextual model (TCM) is an integration of social psychological theories; self-determination theory (SDTD), hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (HMIEM), and theory of planned behavior (TPB), and it is designed to determine the role of social agents on motivation and intended behavior. Specifically, TCM is a multitheory approach to understanding the processes by which forms of motivation toward educational activities in a classroom context lead to motivation toward similar activities and behaviors in out-of-school contexts. PURPOSE: The present study was a randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility of the TCM on predicting physical education (PE) students’ autonomous motivation and its transfer to intended physical activity (PA) participation. METHODS: A three-wave data comprising six schools (3 experiment and 3 delayed treatment schools) and 408 (nexperimental = 198; ncontrol = 210) school students (Mage = 12.29). Participants were recruited based on their affiliation in a local school district, and the data were collected in a middle school setting in the mid-south United States during a seven week period. Primary outcomes of this parallel group study were student autonomous motivation in PE and exercise, PA intention, and PA. RESULTS: Firstly, the results showed that the intervention had a positive effect on students’ autonomous PE motivation via their perception of autonomy (β = .29, p < .01) explaining 51% in the changes in the students’ autonomous PE motivation (SDT premise). Secondly, autonomous motivation in PE was shown to predict autonomous motivation in exercise (β = .63, p < .01; R2 = .44). (HMIEM premise). Finally, autonomous motivation in exercise predicted PA through PA intention (TPB premise) explaining 35% of the changes in the variance of PA. In addition, a moderate indirect effect from autonomous exercise motivation via PA intention to PA emerged (β = .17, p < .01, CI 95% [.11, .22]). CONCLUSIONS: This study corroborated the central tenets of the TCM, and supported its feasibility on real life PE context. Future studies are needed to examine the long lasting effects of autonomy support on PA.

The relationship between physical activity participation, motivation and activity selection over time for adolescent girls in Australia

Introduction: Neighborhood characteristics have been shown to be associated with health and health-promoting behavior. The aim of our study was to identify perceptions of the residential environment and their association with physical activity for specific purposes and with self-rated general health. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of inhabitants of Graz (a mid-sized Austrian city) aged 15–60 years was conducted in 2005. Self-reported data were obtained by means of computer-assisted telephone interviews. Participants (n=997) completed structured interviews including Likert-type scaled questions on neighborhood conditions, physical activity for specific purposes and self-rated general health. The questions concerning the neighborhood were factor-analyzed in order to generate primary measures of perceived neighborhood characteristics. Results: We found that a perceived high socio-economic quality of the residential environment is associated with higher levels of self-rated health and leisure time physical activity. The better self-rated health among individuals who were more satisfied with their quarter is not due to increased levels of sport and exercise. Both, sport and satisfaction with environmental quality are independently linked with self-rated health. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a high level of satisfaction with the individual's local infrastructure may urge the residents to engage in higher levels of physical activity for transportation, whereas the preferred mode of transportation may be gender-specific: men tend to use the bicycle while women walk. We found no clear relationship between satisfaction with the individual's social cohesion in his quarter and his/her physical activity. The results of our study may serve as a basis for devising structural preventive measures in urban environments (urban planning and design).

Background: This study examines the relationships among university sports environment, exercise motivation, and physical activity behavior, with the aim of informing strategies to enhance exercise engagement among university students. Methodology: A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a combination of cluster sampling and purposive sampling. Data were collected from 3,918 Chinese university students (1,978 males, 1,940 females; aged 18–22) using the University Sports Environment Scale, Exercise Motivation Scale, and Physical Activity Rating Scale-3. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0, while structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 26.0 was applied to assess the hypothesized relationships. Results: The SEM analysis demonstrated acceptable model fit. Key findings indicated that: The university sports environment had a significant positive effect on both exercise motivation (β=0.792, p&lt;0.001) and physical activity behavior (β=0.25, p&lt;0.001). Exercise motivation significantly predicted physical activity behavior (β=0.19, p&lt;0.001). A partial mediation effect was observed, with exercise motivation mediating the relationship between the sports environment and physical activity behavior (indirect effect=0.198, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The findings suggest that both university sports environment and exercise motivation are critical predictors of students’ physical activity behavior. These results provide a theoretical foundation for designing targeted interventions to promote exercise engagement among university students.

BackgroundIn recent years, the physical fitness situation of college students is worrying in China. Exercise motivation is of great importance for the physical activity and physical fitness. However, existing studies have paid limited attention to the specific effect between exercise motivation, physical activity and physical fitness, and even less to the different genders and exercise motivation dimensions. This study aimed to investigate the promoting effect of sport motivation on physical fitness with different gender and dimension in college students.MethodsPhysical fitness levels of 2544 college students in Wuhan and Jingzhou city were measured. Exercise motivation and physical activity was assessed using the Chinese version of the motives for physical activities measure-revised scale and the physical activity survey scale, respectively. Correlation analysis and structural equation model were used to explore the relationship between exercise motivation, physical activity and physical fitness. Bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect. Multilevel regression analysis was used to examine the effects of different dimensions of exercise motivation on PF.ResultsThe exercise motivation of college students was directly related to physical fitness (effect value: 0.307) or indirectly related through the mediating effect of physical activity (effect value: 0.092). The mediation effect percentage of physical activity on exercise motivation and physical fitness in male (51.20%) was greater than female (27.18%), and the standardized regression coefficient of the health dimension to PF was β = 0.151, P < 0.001, and the competence dimension to PF was β = 0.189, P < 0.001.ConclusionsThe exercise motivation of college students can directly influence PF or indirectly influence PF through the mediating effect of PA. The promoting effect of exercise motivation and PA on PF in college students is related to gender and dimensions of exercise motivation. Therefore, we can improve physical fitness levels of college students by promoting their exercise motivation (especially for health motivation and competence motivation) and increasing their participation in physical activity. This study provides new strategies for improving physical fitness in college students.

The Role of Providers in Mental Health Services Offered to American-Indian Youths

This study aimed to analyze the association between specific dimension (i.e., fitness, appearance, physical competence, physical strength, and self-esteem) of students’ physical self-concept (PSC) and their physical activity (PA) levels (i.e., intentions to be physically active and out-of-school PA levels perceived by students) and sedentary behavior (SB) (i.e., total sitting and screen time perceived by students). We also tested the role of students’ motivation (i.e., intrinsic motivation and amotivation) towards PA in these relationships. A total of 1998 Spanish male (n = 1003) and female (n = 995) secondary students, aged between 13 and 17 years (M = 14.92, SD = 0.87) from 22 schools, enrolled in third grade (n = 1081) and fourth grade (n = 917), completed the self-reported questionnaires. Five independent structural equation modeling (SEM) adjusted by students’ sex was used to examine the association between specific dimension of students’ PSC (i.e., fitness, appearance, physical competence, physical strength, and self-esteem) and self-reported PA and SB variables, and to test the role of students’ motivation in these relationships. Overall, most of students’ PSC dimension positively predicted students’ PA outcomes, and were negatively associated with SB. In addition, most of students’ PSC dimension were positively associated with intrinsic motivation, and negatively predicted amotivation. In turn, intrinsic motivation was a positive predictor of PA outcomes, and a negative predictor of SB, whereas amotivation was a negative predictor of PA outcomes and sitting time, and a positive predictor of screen time. Finally, from PSC dimensions, sex as a covariate was a positive predictor of intrinsic motivation and PA outcomes, and was a negative predictor of amotivation and sitting time. These findings suggest the importance of the specific dimensions of PSC perceived by adolescents on their motivational processes, and in turn, on their PA and SB outcomes.

Background Previous research underscores the significance of physical activity in enhancing the health of older adults. This study seeks to delineate the pivotal determinants and model the pathways that influence the physical activity levels of older adults residing in community settings. Methods Leveraging a cluster sampling strategy, this study surveyed older adults in Beijing, China, employing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity. We gathered 770 valid responses (173 males and 594 females). The relationship between physical activity and various determinants was examined using ordered logistic regression, and a structural equation model was developed to elucidate the influencing pathways. Results Findings reveal that a substantial portion of community-dwelling older adults exhibit low physical activity levels (40.00%), with moderate (28.7%) and high levels (31.30%) less prevalent. Direct influences on physical activity levels were found for exercise support (β=0.168), motivation (β=0.164), and knowledge (β=0.089). Exercise self-efficacy (β=0.21), support (β=0.152), and knowledge (β=0.092) indirectly affected motivation, with self-efficacy further mediated by support (β=0.081) and knowledge (β=-0.128), suggesting the nuanced role of exercise risk awareness. Exercise motivation, particularly achievement motivation, health motivation, and internal pressure motivation, was identified as a key factor affecting their physical activity levels. Conclusion This research identifies exercise motivation and support as crucial to older adults’ physical activity. Contrary to expectations, increased self-efficacy does not directly correlate with higher activity levels, underscoring the complexity of factors influencing older adults’ engagement in physical activity.This study advise a community intervention enhancing exercise motivation through social support and health education.

Objective: To test Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and examine whether employee perceptions of the workplace physical activity (PA) culture have statistically significant effects on PA behaviour and attitudes, as mediated by the three basic psychological needs. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Furniture manufacturer in the Midwest, USA. Method: Full-time employees with access to PA resources and facilities at work were surveyed ( N = 546; age range = 18–65) on the following measures: demographics, independent variables (PA need supportiveness of work environment, PA norms, social support for PA, employer value of PA and importance of PA), dependent variables (PA at work, PA leisure and PA attitudes) and mediators (psychological need satisfaction in PA for autonomy, competence and relatedness). Standard univariate statistics described the study population. Structural equation modelling (SEM) assessed the associations between independent, dependent and mediator variables. Results: Results from this study indicate PA and attitude towards PA are influenced by perceptions of the environment and various aspects of workplace culture. Statistically significant paths were found within the SEM model between attitude and social support, injunctive norms and PA value; PA done at work and autonomy need satisfaction, competence need satisfaction and descriptive norms; and PA done in leisure time and PA value. Conclusion: In the sample surveyed, work PA culture influences PA behaviour and attitudes. Different aspects of work PA culture influence PA performed at work compared to PA in leisure time.

The current study examined the reciprocal association between psychological resilience, physical activity, and self-rated health in older America adults. A 3-wave cross-lagged panel design was employed using data sampled from the Health and Retirement Study 2010, 2014, and 2018. In total, 8380 older adults, age ranged between 56 and 95years at the baseline (mean age = 68.06, SD = 7.77), were analyzed. Using structural equation modeling, standardized path coefficients were estimated to determine the relationship between physical activity, self-rated health, and psychological resilience across 2 follow-up points. Cross-lagged analysis revealed that higher levels of physical activity at T1 and T2 were significantly associated with higher levels of self-rated health at T2 and T3, respectively. Self-rated health at T1 and T2 were significantly associated with physical activity at T2 and T3, respectively. Self-rated health and psychological resilience were positively related to one another at each time point. However, relationship between physical activity and psychological resilience was complex across time. Study findings support reciprocal prospective relationship between physical activity and self-rated health and the relationship between self-rated health and psychological resilience.

To investigate the association between diabetes symptoms and physical activity (PA) levels among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Data for this study were obtained from 2018 Charles data. Z test, logistic regression analysis, and linear hierarchical regression analysis were performed in 5352 individuals aged ≥50 years with complete information. In terms of diabetes, 6.8% of the middle-aged and elderly people with diabetes were detected, and 93.2% of the middle-aged and elderly people without diabetes symptoms. The proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with high PA levels was 50.5%, and the proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with low PA was 49.5%. There was a significant positive correlation between low PA and diabetes (P < .05). After adjusting demographic characteristics (gender, registered permanent residence type, education level, age, widowhood) and health status characteristics (poor mood, asthma, hyperlipidemia, disability, memory disease, self-assessment of health status, hypertension, smoking, stroke, depression), there was still a statistical significance between PA level and diabetes (P < .05). The risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people in China increases with age, while the risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people with low level of PA is higher. The risk of diabetes is high among middle-aged and elderly people who are old, have poor self-evaluation health, suffer from hyperlipidemia, memory disease, and asthma. The middle-aged and old people should increase their PA levels to prevent and improve diabetes.