Motives, Motivation and Exercise Behavioral Regulations in CrossFit and Resistance Training Participants

Douglas Popp Marin,Luis Felipe Tubagi Polito,Christiano Bertoldo Urtado,Rosemari Otton,Denis Foschini

doi:10.4236/psych.2018.914166

Douglas Popp Marin, Luis Felipe Tubagi Polito + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2018.914166

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Abstract

The present study investigated 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. A total of 493 subjects (males = 351, females = 148), RT (n = 365, 279 males, 86 females) and CrossFit (n = 128, 69 males, 59 females) completed an online questionnaire. Results indicated that CrossFit participants presented higher levels of enjoyment, stress management, social recognition, affiliation, competition, and weight management. Conversely, RT participants reported higher motive for appearance. Intrinsic motivation to exercise was significantly higher in CrossFit, whereas RT participants scored higher controlled motivation. 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 examining the mediating model, competence and intrinsic motivation were found to mediate the relationship between enjoyment and weekly exercise volume. Our results support the relationship among psychological needs satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and exercise behavior in CrossFit and RT participants. Exercise professionals can encourage individuals to seek self-determined and personally meaningful exercise benefits to promote long-term exercise adherence in fitness centers.

Highlights

Resistance training (RT) is a well-documented exercise modality to improve several physiological and psychological health parameters (Fiuza-Luces, Garatachea, Berger, & Lucia, 2013)
The present study investigated 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
Previous studies have supported the construct validity of the Portuguese versions of Perceived Autonomy Support: Exercise Climate Questionnaire (PASECQ), Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES), and BREQ-3 in Brazil, allowing its use in the subsequent statistical analysis (Cid, Moutao, Leitao, & Alves, 2012; Klain et al, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Resistance training (RT) is a well-documented exercise modality to improve several physiological and psychological health parameters (Fiuza-Luces, Garatachea, Berger, & Lucia, 2013). Benefits of RT include improved physical performance, movement control, functional independence, cognitive abilities, body composition, body image, and self-esteem (Westcott, 2012). Despite several exercise-benefits, 40% to 65% of individuals initiating exercise programs are predicted to dropout within 3 to 6 months (Annesi, 1998, 2003). Concerning attendance and membership records in fitness centers, Sperandei et al (2016) reported that dropout reached 47% already by the second month, 86% by the sixth month, and was nearly complete 96% by the twelfth month. It is possible that many individuals may be either unmotivated or not sufficiently motivated to participate in exercise programs regularly

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