Chapter 2:INTRODUCTION TO

CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

THINGS THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO BEING ACTIVE

Chapter 2: AIMS

• to define motivation and its subcomponents• to put psychological constructs into the wider

context of different types of correlates of physical activity

• To understand descriptive approaches to motivation, including participation motives and reasons for ceasing participation, and barriers to physical activity

• to describe and comment on early approaches to the study of exercise and physical activity correlates.

What is motivation?

• Direction (choice)

• Persistence

• Continuing motivation

• Intensity

Maehr & Braskamp (1986)

Descriptive approaches to the study of physical activity motivation

• Motives for participation

• Barriers to participation

Percentage reporting selected motivating factors for participation

from the EU

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

%

Health Tensionrelease

Fitness Controlweight

EUUK

Note: Data show average of 15 countries (including the UK), and the UK separately (Zunft et al., 1999).

Motives for children’s physical activity

• Children aged 5-11 years are often physically active and are enthusiastic about activity

• They are motivated by enjoyment and social elements of participation

• For those aged 11-15 years, enjoyment is important

• This is enhanced when an element of choice is evident.

• Motives for weight control start to emerge in girls at this age.

Barriers assessment in National Fitness Survey for England (1992)

• Barrier:• PHYSICAL• EMOTIONAL• MOTIVATIONAL

• TIME• AVAILABILITY

• Example:• I’m too old• I’m not the sporty type• I haven’t got the

energy• I haven’t got the time• I can’t afford it

0 10 20 30 40 50

Injury

Not sporty

Need to relax

No time

%

men women

English men and women reporting selected physical activity barriers

Data from Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey, 1992

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Injury

Not sporty

Need to rest

No time

%

16-34 35-54 55-69

Selected physical activity barriers for English women: Age differences

Data from Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey, 1992

0 10 20 30 40 50

Injury

Not sporty

Need to rest

No time

%

16-34 35-54 55-69

Selected physical activity barriers for English men: Age differences

Data from Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey, 1992

Barriers: Young people

• The decision to participate in PA is influenced by:perceptions of competenceby external constraints, such as money and

opposite sex friendsdegree of support from significant otherspast experiences, including school PE.

Barriers: Young people

• The decision to participate in PA is influenced by:Negative memories of school PE include

feelings of boredom and incompetence, lack of choice, and negative evaluation from peers.

Feelings of embarrassment in sport settings. These may be due to perceived incompetence or concerns over self-presentation associated with their physique during puberty.

Barriers: Children

• Time has been reported as a barrier for 5-11 year olds

• This may reflect less discretionary time being allowed by parents

• Environmental barriers, such as road traffic and fear of safety may be inter-related with such barriers

Barriers: Adolescent girls

• Time barriers

• School work

• Perceived effort required to be active.

Correlates of one sedentary behaviour in children: TV viewing

• positive associations with TV viewing:non-white ethnicitybody weightbetween-meal snackingparents’ TV viewing habitsWeekendhaving a TV in the bedroom.

Gorely et al., 2004

Correlates of one sedentary behaviour in children: TV viewing

• negative associations with TV viewing:parental income and educationnumber of parents in the house.

Gorely et al., 2004

Chapter 2: Conclusions 1

• only a minority of people in industrialised countries are sufficiently physically active to have a beneficial effect on their health

• This necessitates a greater understanding of the determinants (correlates) of involvement in exercise and physical activity, including motivation

• motivation involves different behaviours, including choice, persistence, continuing motivation, and intensity

• For children and youth common motives are fun, skill development, affiliation, fitness, success and challenge

• For adults, motives change across stages of the lifecycle. • Younger adults are motivated more by challenge, skill development

and fitness• Older adults are more interested in participation for reasons of

health, relaxation and enjoyment.

Chapter 2: Conclusions 2

• key barriers are lack of time and, for young people, issues of safety and feelings of incompetence.

• correlates of sedentary behaviour in the form of TV viewing can be identified, but they are largely non-modifiable. TV viewing may be better studied alongside other sedentary and active behaviours rather than in isolation