Abstract
Background: An unresolved debate lingers over the effect of past behavior on motivational patterns and future behavior stability in the exercise context. Theorists argue that past behavior has a residual effect on future behavior; however, empirical studies have shown that past behavior displays significant power in predicting behavior recurrence in the future. The present research aimed to examine the effect of past behavior and motivational determinants on future exercise adherence. Methods: Data from 437 Portuguese gym exercisers (female = 235; male = 202) aged between 18 and 53 years (M = 31.14; SD = 9.47), with exercise experience ranging from 6 to 12 months (M = 9.41; SD = 1.33) were considered for research. Participants completed a multi-section survey measuring interpersonal behaviors, basic psychological needs, behavioral regulations, and intentions. Data from past behavior and future exercise adherence were collected using computerized records of their attendance at the gym. Results: Positive and significant correlations paths were evidenced among perceived supportive behaviors, needs satisfaction, autonomous motivation, intentions and future exercise adherence. Similar results were presented among perceived thwarting behaviors, needs frustration, and controlled motivation. Regression paths showed that perceived supportive behavior, basic needs satisfaction, and autonomous motivation displayed positive and significant effects on future behaviors; thus, past behavior displayed the highest coefficient on future exercise adherence. Fitness professionals should aim at creating supportive environments, thus, improving the likelihood of being perceived by exercisers as need-supportive individuals. By doing so, as a result, exercisers would experience increased levels of autonomous motivation and higher rates of future exercise attendance at the gym. Hence, exercisers will gradually form their positive past exercise experience, increasing the probability of engaging in an exercise in the future.
Highlights
Physical inactivity leads to a pattern of chronic diseases in which individuals are at high risk of morbidity and early mortality [1,2]
basic psychological needs (BPN) satisfaction and autonomous satisfaction and autonomous motivation were positively and significantly correlated with each other, motivation were positively and significantly correlated with each other, and negatively correlated and negatively correlated with perceived thwarting behaviors, BPN frustration and controlled with motivation
The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of past behavior and motivational determinants on future exercise adherence
Summary
Physical inactivity leads to a pattern of chronic diseases in which individuals are at high risk of morbidity and early mortality [1,2]. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 98 is physically inactive, which represents an increase in a sedentary lifestyle when compared to previous surveys [3,4]. The Lack of motivation has been pointed out as one of the main reasons for physical inactivity, and so, most individuals of our society have never engaged in any health-related behaviors, such as exercise [3]. While several empirical studies have shown that, when individuals exercise out of interest and self-determined motivation, they tend to maintain this behavior [8], little is known on whether past exercise frequency impacts future behavior [7]. The present research aimed to examine the effect of past behavior and motivational determinants on future exercise adherence
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