Goal Orientations Predict Exercisers’ Effort and Enjoyment While Engaged in Exercise and Reasons for Using a Fitness Tracker

Abstract

Summary Fitness trackers (FTs) can help increase activity levels and decrease sedentary behavior. However, researchers have yet to examine whether individuals’ goal orientations influence physical activity behavior in response to FT use. This study examined whether goal orientations predicted participants’ effort and enjoyment while exercising and their reasons for using a FT. Participants (203 females, 57 males; Mage = 42.35 years) reported goal orientations, enjoyment and effort while exercising, and reasons for using an FT. Four stepwise linear regression analyses were calculated to assess the extent that goal orientations predicted effort and enjoyment while exercising and task- and ego-related reasons for using FTs. Both task and ego orientation scores positively predicted effort and enjoyment. Task orientation had a much greater influence than ego orientation over these motivational outcomes. Moreover, task orientation positively predicted task-related reasons for using a FT (e.g., “helps me strive to be my physical best”), while ego orientation positively predicted ego-related reasons for using a FT (e.g., “notifies me that I outperformed others”). Results suggest practitioners and FT manufacturers should consider promoting a task orientation (e.g., define success based on personal effort & improvement) to foster clients’ sustained motivation to engage in PA.