Motivational Differences Between Crossfit And Traditional Resistance Training Participants

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the motivational factors, behavioral regulations based on self-determination theory framework, and the relationships between basic psychological need satisfaction and actual exercise behaviors of CrossFit and resistance training (RT) participants. METHODS: Have been evaluated 493 subjects (males = 351, females = 148), RT (n = 365, 279 males, 86 females) and CrossFit (n = 128, 69 males, 59 females) completed the follow online questionnaires: Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire, Exercise Motivations Inventory-2, The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale. RESULTS: The CrossFit participants presented higher levels of enjoyment, stress management, social recognition, affiliation, competition, and weight management. Conversely, RT participants reported higher motives for appearance. Intrinsic regulation to exercise was significantly higher in CrossFit, whereas RT clients scored higher controlled motivation. The CrossFit group reported higher levels of relatedness, while RT group presented more perception of autonomy. There was no significant difference between weekly exercise volume between groups; therefore, correlation and mediation analysis were conducted with pooled data. Autonomy and competence were significantly associated with more autonomous forms of motivation. Exercise frequency and weekly exercise volume were positively related to intrinsic motivation. When mediating model was evaluated, the social motives to exercise and intrinsic motivation were found to mediate the relationship between competence and weekly exercise volume (95% BCa CI of 2.47 to 11.91). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that CrossFit members attend the gym/CrossFit box predominantly for intrinsic reasons and social motives as compared to RT participants. Exercise professionals may consider the development of programs to increase social motives and exercise-related identity (e.g., interest, affiliation, and enjoyment) to promote intrinsic regulation in individuals from fitness centers.