Abstract
Several studies have indicated that motivational level and prior expectations influence one’s commitment to physical activity. Moreover, these aspects are not properly described in terms of proximal (SDT, Self Determination Theory) and distal (evolutionary) explanations in the literature. This paper aims to verify if level of motivation (BREQ-2, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2) and expectations regarding regular physical exercise (IMPRAF-54) before starting a 1-year exercise program could determine likelihood of completion. Ninety-four volunteers (53 women) included a completed protocol group (CPG; n = 21) and drop-out group (n = 73). The IMPRAF-54 scale was used to assess six different expectations associated with physical activity, and the BREQ-2 inventory was used to assess the level of motivation in five steps (from amotivation to intrinsic motivation). Both questionnaires were assessed before starting a regular exercise program. The CPG group presented higher sociability and lower pleasure scores according to IMPRAF-54 domains. A logistic regression analysis showed that a one-point increment on sociability score increased the chance of completing the program by 10%, and the same one-point increment on pleasure score reduced the chance of completing the protocol by 16%. ROC curves were also calculated to establish IMPRAF-54 cutoffs for adherence (Sociability – 18.5 points – 81% sensibility/50% specificity) and dropout (Pleasure – 25.5 points – 86% sensibility/20% specificity) of the exercise protocol. Our results indicate that an expectation of social interaction was a positive factor in predicting adherence to exercise. Grounded in SDT and its innate needs (competence, autonomy, relatedness), physical exercise is not an end; it is a means to achieve autonomy and self-cohesion. The association of physical activity with social practices, as occurs in hunter-gathering groups, can engage people to be physically active and can provide better results in adherence exercise programs for the general population.
Highlights
Physical exercise is an effective approach in health promotion (Gill et al, 2002; Gulati et al, 2003; Greene et al, 2009), wherein the physical conditioning of those who regularly participate in physical activities increases and/or improves both their physical and psychological capacities (Cress et al, 2005; Cyarto et al, 2006)
Using a broader approach to explain our findings, the present study aims to determine whether the level of motivation through Self Determination Theory (SDT) [using BREQ questionnaire and its Relative Autonomy Index (RAI)] and expectations related to physical activities before starting the long-term exercise protocol can determine the participant’s chance of completing the exercise protocol
A 2 (CPG and Drop-out group (DG)) × 3 two-way ANCOVA was performed by assessing the results of the IMPRAF-54 and scores with the Sidak post hoc test
Summary
Physical exercise is an effective approach in health promotion (Gill et al, 2002; Gulati et al, 2003; Greene et al, 2009), wherein the physical conditioning of those who regularly participate in physical activities increases and/or improves both their physical and psychological capacities (Cress et al, 2005; Cyarto et al, 2006). People in technologically developed societies understand the benefits of physical exercise as a healthy behavior (Crombie et al, 2004), yet they have amongst the highest inactivity rates (Dumith et al, 2011). This paradox is revealing of a strong, yet poorly characterized mechanism underlying the current lack of motivation and engagement in physical activity (Dishman, 1994; Sallis and Owen, 1999; Wilson and Brookfield, 2009). Low levels of motivation and self-efficacy, time-shortage, low familiarity with exercise, and poor social and cultural support are considered the primary reasons why individuals fail to adhere to physical exercise programs after they begin (Sherwood and Jeffery, 2000)
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