Exercise Motivation Research Articles

Increasing motivation in social exercise games: personalising gamification elements to player type

ABSTRACT Fun and social affiliation are good predictors of long-term intention to use game-based interventions including those for motivating physical activity, yet current player matching algorithms are poor at facilitating social connectedness. In this paper, we report on the results of a study investigating how different player traits are associated with interest in social features of an exercise game for improving player experience through better player matching using common and complementary characteristics. Twelve conceptual scenarios were illustrated using storyboards and data was collected from 196 respondents who rated their attitudes and preferences towards gamification elements. Correlational results showed that all scenarios, except for cutting corners, were perceived as persuasive, enjoyable, engaging and are likely to increase future exercise intention for players who score high on Philanthropist- and Socialiser-oriented traits. Results also showed that many players favour the altruistic donation feature. Furthermore, qualitative results underscore that it is the player's partner that matters more than the players’ personalities. We conclude with practical recommendations for designing more personalised exercise games that can include more socially engaging game mechanics in the future.

Online physiotherapy for people with axial spondyloarthritis: quantitative and qualitative data from a cohort study

Life-long exercise is essential in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management; however, long-term adherence is challenging. Online exercise programmes are an alternative to face-to-face physiotherapy. (1) To measure adherence to a 12-month, individualised, online physiotherapy programme for people with axSpA, and investigate the effects on disease activity, spinal mobility, work ability, quality of life and function. (2) To investigate associations between programme adherence and outcomes. (3) To explore participants’ views of the programme and factors affecting adherence. Participants were ‘non-exercisers’ recruited from rheumatology outpatient services. Adherence was measured using online diary entries. Outcomes included the BATH indices, health status (EQ5D), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQOL), exercise capacity (6MWT), Work, Productivity and Activity Impairment in AS (WPAI), Exercise Attitude Questionnaire (EAQ) and Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 (EMI-2) at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Interviews determined views on the intervention and factors affecting adherence. Fifty participants were recruited. Over the 52-week intervention, adherence (five times/week) ranged from 19% (± 30%) to 44% (± 35%). Significant improvements were found in disease activity (BASDAI), spinal mobility (BASMI), 6MWT, AsQoL and EQ5D-VAS at 6 and 12 months. There were no associations between adherence and baseline variables or demographics. Interviews suggested support from others, routine, and feeling the benefit positively affected adherence. Conversely, lack of motivation, life events and symptoms negatively affected adherence. A 12-month online physiotherapy programme significantly improved symptoms in people with axSpA who were not regular exercisers. Adherence reduced over the intervention period. Online exercise programmes may benefit people with axSpA; however, strategies to improve adherence are required.

Analysis of Exercise Intensity Preferences, Tolerance, Competence, and Their Implications for Behavioral Intentions in Fitness Settings.

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the interrelationships among exercise intensity preference, tolerance, competence satisfaction, competence frustration, and exercise intentions within the fitness domain. The research involved 114 participants aged 18 to 59 years (M = 33.23; SD = 10.542), with an average height of 166.02 cm (SD = 15.856) and weight of 68.02 kg (SD = 13.658). The path analysis revealed positive correlations among constructs, except for the link between exercise intensity tolerance and competence satisfaction. Notably, exercise intensity preference positively related to competence satisfaction (β = 0.20, CI90% = 0.12, 0.40), while both preference and tolerance were negatively linked to competence frustration (preference: β = -0.27, CI90% = -0.44, 0.03; tolerance: β = -0.17, CI90% = -0.03, 0.24). Competence satisfaction (β = 0.37, CI90% = 0.13, 0.34) and competence frustration (β = -0.29, CI90% = -0.48, -0.09) significantly influenced exercise intentions. An indirect effect existed between exercise intensity preference and intentions (β = 0.11, CI90% = 0.03, 0.21), contrasting with the lack of such effect for intensity tolerance (β = 0.05, CI90% = -0.01, 0.14). Intentions explained 16% of the variance. In conclusion, this study underscores the intricate connections between exercise intensity traits and intentions, shedding light on factors influencing individuals' exercise persistence.

Results of an Inpatient Preventive Health Care Program to Improve Quality of Life, Psychosocial Health, and Work Ability in Austria.

Objective: The Austrian Federal Pension Insurance (PVA) developed a preventive inpatient health program, "Gesundheitsvorsorge-Aktiv (GVA)," for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Individualized modular interventions and therapeutical measures (movement optimization, movement motivation, and mental health) are designed to improve occupational participation by influencing lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life. The study aimed to evaluate the new prevention-oriented and more personalized inpatient health program GVA. Methods: Patients underwent a standard inpatient health program, with emphasis on exercise management, exercise motivation, or psychological aspects. Submodule-dependent outcomes were assessed in patients (n = 330) at the start, end of treatment, and 6months thereafter. Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L), psychosocial aspects of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D), and Work Ability Index (WAI) were queried. Results: The results consistently showed positive short and long-term effects. The subjective assessments of current work ability improved while the impairment of work performance was reduced. Positive changes in the psychosocial sphere were observed, alongside improvements in the health-related quality of life. Patients in the exercise optimization module performed better in all respects. Conclusion: In summary, GVA represents a valuable preventive health measure that leads to a holistic increase in well-being and can also ensure the maintenance of the ability to work.

The behavioural regulation in exercise questionnaire (BREQ): psychometric properties and associations with physical activity outcomes in a Norwegian sample of physically active adults

ABSTRACT We investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of different versions of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ), which measures exercise motivation, and explore the association with physical activity (PA) outcomes, in a Norwegian sample of physically active adults. The sample consisted of N = 1198, 68.9% men, mean age 49.1 (SD = 11.4) using a cross-sectional design. We analysed several BREQ versions with confirmatory factor analysis to retain the one with the best model fit: The 15-item BREQ, 19-item BREQ-2, 19-item BREQ with integrated regulation, 18-item BREQ-3, and 24-item BREQ-3. An 18-item BREQ-2 with five factors (external, introjected, identified, and intrinsic regulation, and amotivation) showed excellent model fit (χ 2 = 493.848; df = 125; RMSEA = .050; 90% CI [0.045-0.054]; CFI = .975; TLI = .969; SRMR = .041), with the item “I get restless if I don’t exercise regularly” removed. Configural, metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance was supported. Intrinsic motivation was associated with the PA index (PA-I), PA frequency, duration, and intensity, and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF). Identified regulation was associated with PA-I, PA frequency and eCRF, and introjected regulation with PA-I and intensity. External regulation was negatively related to PA frequency and eCRF, while amotivation was unrelated to all outcomes. The results support the factorial validity of the 18-item BREQ-2. The poor model fit found for other BREQ versions warrants additional studies to investigate the psychometric properties in physically active adult samples. Autonomous motivation factors were most important for PA outcomes.

A Text Messaging Intervention for Priming the Affective Rewards of Exercise in Adults: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial.

Physical activity is a critical target for health interventions, but effective interventions remain elusive. A growing body of work suggests that interventions targeting affective attitudes toward physical activity may be more effective for sustaining activity long term than those that rely on cognitive constructs alone, such as goal setting and self-monitoring. Anticipated affective response in particular is a promising target for intervention. We will evaluate the efficacy of an SMS text messaging intervention that manipulates anticipated affective response to exercise to promote physical activity. We hypothesize that reminding users of a positive postexercise affective state before their planned exercise sessions will increase their calories burned during this exercise session. We will deploy 2 forms of affective SMS text messages to explore the design space: low-reflection messages written by participants for themselves and high-reflection prompts that require users to reflect and respond. We will also explore the effect of the intervention on affective attitudes toward exercise. A total of 120 individuals will be enrolled in a 9-week microrandomized trial testing affective messages that remind users about feeling good after exercise (40% probability), control reminders (30% probability), or no message (30% probability). Two types of affective SMS text messages will be deployed: one requiring a response and the other in a read-only format. Participants will write the read-only messages themselves to ensure that the messages accurately reflect the participants' anticipated postexercise affective state. Affective attitudes toward exercise and intrinsic motivation for exercise will be measured at the beginning and end of the study. The weighted and centered least squares method will be used to analyze the effect of delivering the intervention versus not on calories burned over 4 hours around the time of the planned activity, measured by the Apple Watch. Secondary analyses will include the effect of the intervention on step count and active minutes, as well as an investigation of the effects of the intervention on affective attitudes toward exercise and intrinsic motivation for exercise. Participants will be interviewed to gain qualitative insights into intervention impact and acceptability. Enrollment began in May 2023, with 57 participants enrolled at the end of July 2023. We anticipate enrolling 120 participants. This study will provide early evidence about the effect of a repeated manipulation of anticipated affective response to exercise. The use of 2 different types of messages will yield insight into optimal design strategies for improving affective attitudes toward exercise. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05582369; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05582369. PRR1-10.2196/46560.

Effect Of A Motivational Coaching Intervention On Exercise Motivation And Physical Activity Of College Students

Effect Of A Motivational Coaching Intervention On Exercise Motivation And Physical Activity Of College Students

Exercise Motivation among Fitness Center Members: A Combined Qualitative and Q-Sorting Approach

This study aimed to explore the components of Exercise Maintenance Motivation (EMM) and identify its consensus and distinguishing aspects among members of fitness centers (FCs) in Vietnam. The study incorporated both qualitative and Q-sorting methodologies across two stages. The first stage involved conducting ten in-depth and four focus-group interviews with 39 members of six different FCs in Vietnam, resulting in the generation of 40 EMM statements. In the second stage, these statements were subjected to Q-sorting by 39 participants. The KADE application for the Q method was used for data analysis, and Principal Component Analysis was employed to determine the optimal number of factors. The analysis yielded four factors, encompassing 34 statements and accounting for 86% of the variance in EMM components among participants. These components, labeled “F1. Exercise achievements”, “F2. Exercise environments”, “F3. Exercise enjoyment”, and “F4. Workout-aholic”, achieved consensus among 17 (37%), 14 (30%), 5 (12%), and 3 (7%) participants, respectively. The leading motivational expressions were “get to be healthier”, “a better-looking appearance”, and “get a fit body appearance”. These were followed by FC-based supportive exercise conditions, positive feelings, and exercise addiction. There were five consensus statements that spanned all four factors. The numbers of distinguishing statements varied across factors, with F1, F3, and F4 each contributing 11 (28.2%) and F2 contributing 15 (38.5%). This study contributed to the four central drivers of EMM. To facilitate the development of a comprehensive EMM scale, future research should incorporate larger samples, allowing for a dissection of motivational paradigms. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-03-07 Full Text: PDF

Exercise Preference And Motivators In Young Adult Women Who Exercise Regularly

Exercise Preference And Motivators In Young Adult Women Who Exercise Regularly

INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SLEEP QUALITY, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION LEVELS AMONG EXERCISER AND NON-EXERCISER ADULTS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Purpose: To assess physical activity (PA), perceived exercise benefits, perceived sleep quality, anxiety and depression levels of adults who exercised and did not exercise during the pandemic. 
 Methods: 1226 voluntary participants who lived in the community (age range 18-55 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information was recorded, and exercise motivators and barriers were evaluated through questions prepared by the researchers. PA levels [International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)], perception about the benefits of exercise [Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale-Benefits Subscale (EBBS-BS)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], and anxiety and depression levels [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)] were assessed. 
 Results: There were statistically significant differences in scores of IPAQ-SF, PSQI, EBBS-BS, and HADS between those who did and did not exercise (p

Wearable device adherence among insufficiently-active young adults is independent of identity and motivation for physical activity.

Wearable devices are increasingly being integrated to improve prevention, chronic disease management and rehabilitation. Inferences about individual differences in device-measured physical activity depends on devices being worn long enough to obtain representative samples of behavior. Little is known about how psychological factors are associated with device wear time adherence. This study evaluated associations between identity, behavioral regulations, and device wear adherence during an ambulatory monitoring period. Young adults who reported insufficient physical activity (N = 271) were recruited for two studies before and after the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic declaration. Participants completed a baseline assessment and wore an Actigraph GT3X + accelerometer on their waist for seven consecutive days. Multiple linear regression indicated that wear time was positively associated with age, negatively associated with integrated regulation for physical activity, and greater after (versus before) the pandemic declaration. Overall, the model accounted for limited variance in device wear time. Exercise identity and exercise motivation were not associated with young adults' adherence to wearing the physical activity monitors. Researchers and clinicians can use wearable devices with young adults with minimal concern about systematic motivational biases impacting adherence to device wear.

'I saw it as a marriage-You can't have one without the other': A qualitative study of patient and physiotherapist experiences with a therapeutic combined strength and aerobic physical activity exercise programme for hip osteoarthritis.

To explore physiotherapist and patient experiences with, and acceptability of, a 12-week physiotherapist-guided combined strength and aerobic physical activity exercise programme for hip osteoarthritis (OA). A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 13 people with hip OA and four physiotherapists. Patients underwent a 12-week home exercise programme customised by weekly visits with one of the four physiotherapists. The programme aimed for patients to participate in 150min of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, and 20-30min of strengthening exercise 2-3 times per week in concordance with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) dosage guidelines. Following the programme, patients and physiotherapists participated in individual semi-structured interviews to explore the acceptability of the exercise programme and barriers and facilitators to participation. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. Five over-arching themes (supporting subthemes) were identified from both patient and physiotherapist interviews: (i) positive outcomes (functional improvements, pain relief, empowerment through experience, commitment to continue); (ii) combined benefits of aerobic and strength exercises (complimentary effects, strengthening exercises key); (iii) valuing support from the physiotherapist (personalised care, skill performance feedback, coach effect, accountability); (iv) motivation and opportunity for exercise (positive symptom loop, integration into daily routine, prior exercise experience, Fitbit motivation); and (v) time-consuming commitment (physiotherapy visit frequency, travel inconvenience, time for exercise). Experiences of participants in this study indicate that, although time-consuming, a combined aerobic physical activity and strengthening programme prescribed at ACSM dosage guidelines is acceptable and confers positive outcomes in individuals with hip OA.

The benefit and limitations of an online physical activity program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A quantitative analysis of the virtual Latrobe Streetgames program.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of many physical activity programs, with many online programs being created in place to maintain physical activity engagement. This study explored the outcomes of an online physical program on its participants. A validated survey was used to explore Virtual Streetgames (VSG) participants' perceptions about their physical, mental, and social health while participating in VGS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the impact of the online format. Many VSG participants were not achieving their daily physical activity recommendations, with a considerable portion of individuals feeling frustrated at not being able to socialise. A substantial difference was seen between adults and adolescents, with increased adult activity rates for those adults participating in VSG. Despite this influence on physical well-being, VSG did not seem to influence mental or social wellbeing. The results give detail into how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced adolescent and young adult physical, mental, and social health, noting that the reduction of in-person contact influenced motivation for exercise. Online physical activity programs may have some positive impact in improving adult physical activity rates, but they are not as effective as face-to-face programs in improving overall well-being. SO WHAT?: The findings of this study suggest that online physical activity programs may not be as effective as face-to-face programs in improving overall well-being. Future research should explore ways to improve the social and motivational aspects of online physical activity programs to maximise their benefits for participants.

Relationship Between College Students' Exercise Motivation and Mental Health: Chain Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Resilience

Relationship Between College Students' Exercise Motivation and Mental Health: Chain Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Resilience

Toward brief tools assessing motivation for exercise: Rationale and development of a six- and 12-item version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise 3 (BREQ3) Questionnaire.

Toward brief tools assessing motivation for exercise: Rationale and development of a six- and 12-item version of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise 3 (BREQ3) Questionnaire.

SCROLLING FOR SWEAT: UNPACKING THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL MEDIA, MOTIVATION, TRUST, AND REPURCHASING IN THE FITNESS WORLD

Our goal in this study was to examine the structural relationships between social media fun, social media informativeness, exercise motivation, trust, and repurchase intention. Participants, all of whom were members of fitness center, completed surveys to assess these relationships. Results showed that both social media fun and social media informativeness had a positive impact on trust, but not on repurchase intention. Social media fun has a significantly positive influence on exercise motivation, but we could not confirm this for social media informativeness. Moreover, our results show that only social media fun has a positive influence on exercise motivation. We could not confirm the influence of motivation on trust. Finally, we confirmed that trust predicts repurchase intention for fitness center members.

Critical consumers: How do young women with high autonomous motivation for exercise navigate fitness social media?

Fitness content on social media (FSM) is now ubiquitous across society. Despite its potential to improve the low levels of physical activity (PA) often seen in young women, FSM can have negative effects on mental wellbeing (particularly around heightening body concerns) and be a source of misinformation. Yet for some young women, engaging with FSM appears not to be detrimental to their wellbeing. We purposively recruited nine young women who were frequent users of FSM (M age = 25 years) and demonstrated a high autonomous motivation for exercise (which suggested a preserved mental wellbeing in the context of exercise). Participants were interviewed about their experiences of using FSM, including how they felt it impacted their exercise motivation and behaviour, as well as how to engage with FSM in a “healthy” way. Data were thematically analysed to generate three overarching themes: 1) FSM can motivate and demotivate me, 2) FSM is a harmful environment and 3) to protect yourself you need to be a critical FSM consumer. Whilst these individuals recognised the dangers of FSM, they appeared to be well-equipped to protect themselves from its maladaptive influences and made practical suggestions for navigating the FSM environment in a “healthy” way.

Affective profiles of exercise episodes are associated with maladaptive and adaptive motivations for exercise.

Maladaptive exercise (i.e., driven and/or compensatory exercise) is common in binge-spectrum eating disorders (EDs; e.g., bulimia nervosa, binge ED) and associated with adverse treatment outcomes. Alternatively, individuals with EDs are often also engaging in adaptive exercise (e.g., for enjoyment or health improvement), and increasing adaptive exercise may decrease ED symptoms. The current study aimed to understand which exercise episodes are likely to be maladaptive/adaptive so that interventions can appropriately decrease/increase maladaptive and adaptive exercise. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify pre-exercise affective profiles of 661 exercise episodes among 84 individuals with binge-spectrum EDs and examined associations between LPA-identified profiles and subsequent exercise motivations using ecological momentary assessment. A two-profile solution best fit our data: Profile 1 (n=174), 'positive affectivity,' and Profile 2 (n=487), 'negative affectivity.' Episodes in the 'negative affectivity' profile were more likely to be endorsed as both driven and intended to influence body shape/weight. Episodes in the 'positive affectivity' profile were more likely to be endorsed as exercising for enjoyment. Results support two phenotypes of exercise episodes, and differential associations of these phenotypes with adaptive and maladaptive motivations for exercise.

Exercise knowledge, barriers and motivators among LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers

IntroductionPeople with a Gly2019Ser mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2 G2019S) are at increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent evidence suggests that exercise may delay or prevent the development of clinically overt symptoms of PD in people at risk of PD. We determined whether LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers with and without manifest PD are aware of the relationship between exercise and PD and how they differ in awareness, barriers and motivators to exercise. MethodsWe deployed a survey among 4422 LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers. In total, 505 (11.4%) of them completed the survey, of whom 105 had self-reported manifest PD. ResultsNinety-two percent of the LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers with manifest PD and 63% of those with non-manifest PD were aware of the relationship between exercise and PD. Lack of motivation was the top barrier for those without manifest PD, while having an injury/disability was the most common barrier for those with manifest PD. Improvement of body functioning was the top motivator for both. ConclusionThe fact that many at-risk individuals are not aware of the importance of exercise and would exercise more with fewer barriers creates opportunities for trials using exercise as a possible prevention strategy for PD.

Testing Assumptions of the Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance Model: A Longitudinal Perspective of the Relationships Between Intentions and Habits on Exercise Adherence.

In this study, we aimed to examine empirically the Physical Activity Adoption and Maintenance model (PAAM). We collected data on these variables at baseline (T0) and 6-months later (T1). We recruited 119 participants (42 male, 77 female) aged 18-81years old (Mage = 44.89, SD = 12.95). who reported, at baseline, that they exercised an average of 3.76days per week (SD = 1.33) in training periods lasting 15-60minutes (M = 38.69; SD = 23.28). We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analysis to test the association between each determinant (intentions, habits, and frequency) and future exercise adherence. We tested four models by entering blocks of predictors according to PAAM assumptions. The variance change (R2) between the first and fourth models (ΔR2 = .391) was statistically significant, showing that the fourth model accounted for 51.2% of variance for future exercise adherence, F (6, 112) = 21.631, p < .001, R2 = .73, adjusted R2 = .512. Exercise intention at T1 maintained its significant association (p = .021) with exercise frequency at T1 in all tested models. Exercise frequency at T0 was the most significant predictor (p < .01) of future exercise adherence, with past experience the second most significant predictor (p = .013). Interestingly, exercise habits at T1 and T0 did not predict exercise frequency at T1 in the fourth model. Among the variables we studied, having constantly high exercise intentions and high regular exercise frequency are significantly associated with maintaining or increasing regular future exercise behavior.