Impact of a Weight Training Program on the Self Determined Motives of Previously Untrained, Sedentary Women

Abstract

The impact of physical activity interventions on the constructs of Self Determination Theory (SDT) and motivation have yet to include a weight training component. PURPOSE: To examine the impact of weight training on autonomy, competency, relatedness, and self determined motivation over a period of 12 weeks. We hypothesized that women who participated in a 12 week weight training program would exhibit a significantly greater level of autonomy, competency and self determined motivation than a non weight training control group at 12 weeks. METHODS: The sample consisted of 44 sedentary women with no prior weight training experience. The mean age was 22 years (range 18 - 29) and BMI's ranging from 19.3 to 46.7 (M=27.0). Upon random group assignment, psychosocial and anthropomorphic data were collected from all participants at baseline. The treatment group training protocol consisted of three 45-60 minute sessions/week. The treatment group also received a training manual and supervision from certified personal trainers for 14 of their 36 total sessions. The control group received the manual after post testing (week 13) and instructions on how to perform the exercises. RESULTS: Mean number of sessions completed was 33. Session attendance did not differ significantly within the treatment group. A between group effect was present F(1, 39) = 4.332, p <.05 at three months. At three months the weight training group (4.61 +.65) displayed a higher level of competence t(22) = 4.33, p =.05 than controls (3.72 +.63). CONCLUSION: An exercise intervention typified primarily by free weight exercises over 12 weeks is more efficacious than a weight training instruction booklet alone for increasing women's feelings of general exercise competence. Future analyses inclusive of a post intervention follow up period would test lend further insight by assessing both groups during a time exclusive of any supervised training.