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Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 10292

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Dr. Noelia Belando Pedreño

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Sports Sciences, European University of Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Interests: motivation and motor behavior; motivation towards sports practice; motivation in educational environments; emotional regulation with physical exercise in persons with mental pathologies; physical activity and psychological well-being in people with pathologies; healthy lifestyle and emotional intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Promoting an active lifestyle could be one of the keys to preventing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and many other highly prevalent psychological pathologies [1,2]. Even so, a low adherence to proposals for promoting an active lifestyle has been observed in young students, in people with non-communicable pathologies (metabolic pathologies such as diabetes, obesity), and physically sedentary people. In the process of improving healthy lifestyle habits in human beings, behavioral issues such as a lack of motivation and resistance to change may arise, while the importance of emotional regulation has been stressed. This is why scientific studies based on motivational theories and psychological approaches aimed at facilitating this change are needed to advance intervention factors to increase physical activity levels in the general population. Psychology must deal with building competencies instead of correcting deficiencies; understanding and creating positive emotions with the goal of making people happier; and attempting to complement clinical psychology, which aims to repair damage and treat diseases. In this sense, one of the theories that helps to explain people’s motivation to achieve a more active lifestyle is the Self-Determination Theory [3,4]. There are also other relevant theoretical postulates, such as the Achievement Goals Tª [5], which explains how a person can have a purpose that is more focused on the result (achievement) or the social aspect (social goals) when becoming involved in an activity. There is even more recent theoretical paradigms that derive from psychology, such as positive psychology, which tries to understand the processes that underlie the positive qualities and emotions of people, allowing them to improve their quality of life and well-being [6].

Lera-Lopez, F.; Ollo-López, A.; Garrués-Irisarri, M.; Cabasés, J.M. and Sánchez, E. How the relationship between physical activity and health changes with age. J. Ageing 2019, 16, 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-018-0471-6
Pedersen, B.K. and Saltin, B. Exercise as medicine—evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scand J. Med. Sci. Sports 2015, 25, 1–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12581
Deci, E.L. and Ryan, R.M. Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. Publisher: Springer, Boston, MA, USA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7
Ryan, R.M. and Deci, E.L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Psychol. 2000, 55, 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
Nicholls, J.G. The competitive ethos and democratic education. Available online: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1989-97518-000 (accessed on 28 January 2022).
Vera Poseck, B. Psicología Positiva: Una Nueva Forma De Entender La Psicología. Available online: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=77827102 (accessed on 28 January 2022).

Dr. Noelia Belando Pedreño
Guest Editor

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Keywords

motivation
physical activity
motivation and emotion regulation
health and well-being
motivated behavior
motivational strategies
physical education
healthy lifestyle
healthy habits

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motives and Barriers for Regular Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region)

by Miloš Ilić, Huiwen Pang, Tomislav Vlaški, Maja Grujičić and Budimka Novaković

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16240; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316240 - 4 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2192

Abstract

Regular physical activity (PA) has multiple beneficial effects on students’ health, effectively reducing the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Various factors play a role in an individual’s motivation to engage in and maintain regular PA. So far, no research dealing with the motives and barriers for regular PA among medical students has been conducted in the countries of the Western Balkans. The aim of this study was to identify the motives and barriers related to regular PA and compare them with different demographic, socioeconomic, and individual lifestyle factors among Western Balkans medical students. The research was conducted in a form of a cross-sectional study. It included 2452 medical students from 14 faculties in five countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The most commonly reported motive of medical students for regular PA is to feel better, followed by stress reduction, to look better, the desire to lose weight, and to control chronic disease. PA improvement motives are more frequently associated with the female gender, more advanced years of study, a normal weight, above average household income, and a non-smoking status. Faculty obligations are the most common barrier for regular PA among medical students, followed by other barriers, such as financial situation, current life situation, and health conditions. Barriers are more frequently reported by male students who are overweight or obese, who have a below average income, and are smokers. It is necessary for public health authorities to examine and take into account the perceived motives and barriers when forming activities and policies that aim at increasing the level of PA, in order to enhance the health of the student population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity)

11 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Students’ Perceptions in Online Physical Education Learning: Comparison Study of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in Saudi Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown

by Mohamed Frikha, Nesrine Chaâri, Nourhen Mezghanni, Majed M. Alhumaid and Mohammed S. Alibrahim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215288 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1622

Abstract

The interest in the efficiency of online learning was and remains a major concern to researchers especially during the worldwide pandemic crisis (COVID-19). Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies focusing on students’ perceptions in online physical education (PE) learning sessions. Based on the self-determination theory (SDT), the present investigation aimed to explore psychological need satisfaction (PNS) to understand the autonomy, competence, and relatedness of Saudi PE students during the online sessions undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. PE students (N = 321, 161 females and 160 males) completed an online questionnaire composed of demographic characteristics, grade point average (GPA), sleep and physical activity (PA) habits, and the physical education autonomy relatedness competence scales (PE-ARCS). A t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted and revealed that female students presented higher PNS compared with males. Students practicing PA had higher autonomy values than those not practicing PA (p = 0.001). However, no differences were recorded concerning competence and relatedness perceptions. The groups practicing walking, aerobic exercise, muscular training, and specialty training had higher values in autonomy and relatedness. The groups that slept for more than six hours a night, had previous experience with online learning, and had a GPA of more than three recorded higher PNS values. Correlation analysis showed high interdependence of the three PNS variables as well as with the variables of gender, experience with online learning, sleep hours, and type of PA practiced, but not with GPA or frequency of PA practice. The PNS values regarding online PE sessions were (i) higher in female students compared with males and (ii) related to previous experience in online learning, GPA, sleep habits, and type of PA. Walking, aerobic exercise, muscular training, and training in a specialty affected both autonomy and competence perception; however, relatedness was mainly affected by walking activity. Therefore, it is necessary to support ICT knowledge of students with low GPAs and to encourage them to adopt balanced sleep and physical activity habits to increase their perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in online PE lessons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity)

14 pages, 795 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Education Classes and Responsibility: The Importance of Being Responsible in Motivational and Psychosocial Variables

by David Manzano-Sánchez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610394 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1908

Abstract

The objective of this research work was to analyse the different profiles that can be identified, based on levels of responsibility in relation to Self-Determination Theory, school climate and violence in Physical Education classes. For this, a total of 470 students of Compulsory Secondary Education or Baccalaureate were given a questionnaire where aspects related to motivation, basic psychological needs, responsibility, school social climate and violence were analysed. An analysis of these profiles was conducted, taking into account the variables of “personal responsibility” and “social responsibility”, with the results leading to the conclusion that three profiles exist: “low responsibility” (n = 89), “moderate responsibility” (n = 187) and “high responsibility” (n = 194). The results reflected statistically significant differences in all the variables between the three profiles. The high responsibility cluster obtained significantly higher values for the different constructs of motivation (except in external regulation, where there were no differences, compared to the “moderate responsibility” group), basic psychological needs and school social climate. On the other hand, it obtained lower values in amotivation and violence, with no differences based on the sex or age of the participants in the distribution of the clusters. It is concluded that the more responsible profile can have positive results in psychological variables in Physical Education classes and in the general educational field. For this reason, the use of active methodologies, which have been extensively studied to promote responsibility in PE classes, could be an appropriate strategy to achieve a more adaptive psychological profile regardless of the gender or age of the students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity)

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14 pages, 1043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ePSICONUT: An e-Health Programme to Improve Emotional Health and Lifestyle in University Students

by Luisa Marilia Cantisano, Rocio Gonzalez-Soltero, Ascensión Blanco-Fernández and Noelia Belando-Pedreño

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159253 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2366

Abstract

The use of information and communication technologies in the health field is known as eHealth. Nowadays, the application of technological and digital tools for maintaining/improving physical and mental health is experiencing an exponential boom. These tools have been perceived as a powerful support for face-to-face therapies and lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, there is not enough scientific research that analyses the impact and consequences of eHealth interventions. More studies are needed to validate its application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools in a programme called ePSICONUT. This programme was created to promote healthy lifestyle habits in university students. The sample consisted of 16 university students from the Dominican Republic aged 18–24 years (

\bar{x}

= 20.69; s = 1.74). ePSICONUT was developed in 12 weeks and its impact was analyzed by comparing the initial and the final psychological and lifestyle tests results, which were completed online by the participants. Results reported that the professionally supervised use of eHealth tools was associated with better psychological well-being, lees anxiety and depression, and better lifestyle habits (such as diet quality), even in stressful and changing situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances. However, more studies are needed to validate and promote the use of eHealth-based intervention programmes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity)

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14 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Achievement Goals across Persistence—Validation of the Spanish Version of the Motivational Persistence Scale

by Iñaki Quintana, Maria Isabel Barriopedro and Luis Miguel Ruiz Perez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148474 - 11 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1406

Abstract

Background: An important aspect of achievement goals is the persistence and determination that the person possesses in order to achieve it. Spain does not have an adequate instrument for its measurement. First, this article had the aim of adapt and validate the Motivational Persistence Scale of Constantin et al. in a Spanish population and athletes. Second, it had the aim of prove the relationship with deliberate practice and performance. Methods: In this study, 384 university students participated, where the factor structure was analyzed by means of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). In study 2 of 169 athletes was used to confirm its validity in a homogeneous population and its predictive capacity on the hours of deliberate practice (DP) and performance. Results: The AFC showed a two-factor structure, reducing the original three-factor structure, presenting a good fit in both Spanish and homogeneous population of athletes and achieving a significant predictive capacity on deliberate practice. The new dimensions were Purpose Pursuing (PP) and Recurrence of Unattained Purposes (RUP). Conclusions: Overall, our results provide evidence that this scale could be a useful tool for the assessment of Persistence in the Spanish adult and athlete population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motivation and Health Outcomes for Physical Activity)

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