Work

Effect of health conditions and community program participation on physical activity and exercise motivation in older adults

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) declines with age, with chronic health conditions a contributing factor. Exercise motivation (EM), a factor of PA adherence, may be promoted through community program participation. The purpose was to investigate the effect of health conditions and community program participation on PA and EM. Surveys comprising of demographics, physical activity (PASE), and exercise motivation (BREQ-2), were distributed. Significant differences were found for PA between community program participants with and without a health condition. A significant main effect for health condition existed on several subscales of EM: identified regulation and intrinsic regulation, and for obesity on amotivation, identified regulation, and intrinsic regulation. Significant differences existed between community exercise program participants ( N = 77) and non-participants ( N = 145) for amotivation ( p < 0.001), identified regulation ( p < 0.001), and intrinsic regulation ( p < 0.001). The presence of a health condition appears to impact EM. Community program participation positively influenced EM, potentially negating the effect of health condition.

Source: Journal of Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1177/13591053241275308

Author: Anita Gust

Institution: University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: University of Minnesota