Computational and neuropsychiatric dimensions of motivation differentially predict everyday physical activity
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Physical activity benefits physical and mental health, yet population-level engagement in physical activity is low and variable, particularly among individuals with mental health problems. We investigated how neuropsychiatric and computational variables of motivation relate to physical activity in a large, general-population sample (N = 1,105). Both neuropsychiatric (apathy and anhedonia) and computational (effort sensitivity during effort-based decision-making) measures predicted total physical activity. Decomposing physical activity into activity stage and intensity revealed clear dissociable and independent effects: Apathy and anhedonia, but not effort sensitivity, primarily predicted whether individuals participated in activity at all, as well as amount of sedentary time. Computational effort sensitivity, on the other hand, predicted the amount of activity individuals engage in, with effects scaling with intensity. Our findings suggest neuropsychiatric and computational dimensions of motivation govern distinct components of real-world physical activity, with implications for the development of targeted physical activity interventions.
Source: PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints)
Authors: Sara Z. Mehrhof, Camilla Nord
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214527723