Motivations to exercise as a function of personality characteristics, age, and gender

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the simultaneous influence of age, gender, physical-activity level, and personality factors on the reasons that individuals participate in leisure-time physical activity. In previous research only a few studies have considered potentially influential factors besides gender. Preliminary factor analytic procedures tested the independence of the seven original subscales of the Reasons for Exercise Inventory (REI). Since the fit of the initial model to the data was poor, modifications were made. Regression analyses indicated few age or gender differences in the reasons reported for exercising. Extraversion and neuroticism were, however, positively correlated with several of the REI scales—findings that can be explained theoretically. Results underscore the importance of taking account of individual differences in efforts to understand what motivates individuals to engage in exercise activities.