Effects of Physical Exercise Motives on Physical Health and Aerobic Fitness of Teenagers

Background: A good level of physical fitness helps teenagers maintain a good state in daily study and life and enables them to cope well with emergencies. We aimed to explore the influences of physical exercise motives on the physical health and aerobic fitness of teenagers. Methods: A total of 982 teenagers aged between 13 and 16 years in the four districts of Guangzhou City, China from January to December 2019 were selected randomly with the assistance of communities. Their physical exercise motives and exercise behaviors were investigated using a questionnaire survey, and their physical health indexes and aerobic fitness were assessed. The relationships of physical exercise motives and behaviors with physical health and aerobic fitness were analyzed. Results: Teenagers who have higher physical health scores show significantly increasing trends in their scores in exercise motives and different dimensions, exercise behaviors, and aerobic fitness scores (P<0.05). Physical exercise motives show significant correlations with exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic fitness. Moreover, exercise behaviors show significantly positive correlations with physical health and aerobic fitness (P<0.05). Physical exercise motives have a positive effect on exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic activities, and exercise behaviors have a positive effect on physical health and aerobic activities (P<0.05). Conclusion: The physical exercise motives of teenagers have positive and prediction effects on exercise behaviors, physical health, and aerobic fitness. Exciting physical exercise motives can promote the physical exercise behaviors of teenagers and improve their physical health and aerobic fitness.

Compulsive exercise and mental health challenges in fitness instructors; presence and interactions

Background Some physically active people exercise compulsively, which can be associated with several mental health challenges. Fitness instructors are considered important role models for an active, healthy lifestyle; yet little is known about their exercise motives and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of compulsive exercise and mental health challenges, and their interaction, in fitness instructors. Methods A total of 270 fitness instructors from Norwegian fitness clubs were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria were operating as instructors within the current year and understanding Norwegian language. Data were collected by an electronic questionnaire and included demographic information, hours of classes instructed and of personal physical activity, Compulsive Exercise Test (CET), Symptom Check List – 10 (SCL-10), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)). Results Females had higher CET scores than males, and 9% of all respondents had CET score above clinical cutoff. Respondents with clinical CET score had higher SCL-10, BDI and EDE-Q global- and subscale scores compared with their counterparts. Although CET was positively and significantly associated with BDI, SCL-10, and EDE-Q, only the latter explained the CET score (ß = 1.23, 99% CI = 0.87, 1.59). Conclusion About one out of eleven instructors were above clinical CET cut-off, revealing symptoms of compulsive exercise. EDE-Q significantly contributed in a model explaining 43% of the variation of compulsive exercise.

College Student Exercise Motivation: The Role of Belongingness and College Self-Efficacy

This study examined the role of college self-efficacy in the relationship between university belongingness and exercise motivation among a group of college students (N = 311). Multiple social factors have been identified as playing an important role in students’ physical health and wellness (Leslie et al., 1999; Wallace et al., 2000); however, the mechanisms by which university belongingness influences various exercise motives are unexplored. In the current study, college self-efficacy was examined as a mediator between university belongingness and six types of exercise motivation: stress management, appearance, enjoyment, revitalization, weight management, and positive health (Markland & Ingledew, 1997). Results showed that college self-efficacy mediated the relationship between belongingness and exercise motivation for stress management, enjoyment, revitalization, and positive health. These findings highlight how college self-efficacy helps explain the relationship between university belongingness and motivation to exercise, providing insight into prevention research and implications for university personnel to help foster greater health promotion on campus.

Role of Sociocultural Pressures and Internalization of Appearance Ideals in the Motivation for Exercise

This study examined the mediating role of sociocultural pressures (i.e., parental, peer, significant others, and media) and the internalization of appearance ideals (i.e., thin, muscular, attractive) on the relationship of Body Mass Index (BMI) and exercise frequency to exercise motives (i.e., weight management, appearance, positive health). A total of 262 young women, age 18 to 29, participated in the study. Average BMI in this sample was 22.09 ( SD = 2.69) and ranged from 18.03 to 31.51, with 15.3% of the sample having a BMI of 25 and above, which qualifies as overweight. Participants completed Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4-Revised and Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 (EMI-2) along with some demographic information and questions regarding their exercise habits. The results indicated that women with higher BMI are more motivated to exercise to lose weight, and women who exercise more frequently are motivated by the aspect of positive health. Also, women with higher BMI perceive more sociocultural pressures to obtain a culturally acceptable body. The sociocultural pressures and appearance internalization mediated the relationship between BMI and the frequency of exercise with motives for exercise. The implications and future directions of research are discussed.

Living in a Larger Body: Do Exercise Motives Influence Associations between Body Image and Exercise Avoidance Motivation?

The study explored reasons for exercise as possible mediators of the relationship between body appreciation and exercise avoidance motivation and between body surveillance and exercise avoidance motivation. Using a cross-sectional design, 131 women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher completed measures of body surveillance, body appreciation, reasons for exercise, and exercise avoidance motivation. Mediation analyses indicated that appearance-oriented reasons for exercise partially mediated the body surveillance–exercise avoidance motivation relationship. Health and fitness professionals, organizations, and environments should avoid reinforcing appearance-oriented reasons for exercise. Rather, empowering exercise experiences and environments should be created as they seem to benefit women regardless of reasons for exercise.

An Examination of Intramural College Students’ Exercise Motives and How They Relate to Body Mass Index

Students that participate in recreational sports and regular exercise are more likely to continueto be physically active. Thee purpose of this cross-sectional study design was to examine differentiatingmotives among participants and how motivation constructs relate to body composition.College students(n=403) were surveyed using the EMI-2 to determine motivational constructs in relation to body com-position. Standardized coefficients indicate that Appearance (β=-0.242, p=0.001), Health Pressures (β=0.208, p=0.05), and Weight Management ( β=0.332, p=0.001) have a statistically signi cant in uenceon intramural participants’ BMIs. This study is useful for promoting, designing, and implementing futurehealth programs for young adults.Creating diversity in activities encourages additional populations toparticipate in physical activity opportunities, thus improving overall health and well-being.

Exploring Users’ Experiences of the Uptake and Adoption of Physical Activity Apps: Longitudinal Qualitative Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Although smartphone apps might support physical activity (PA), engagement with them tends to be low. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine potential users’ needs and preferences regarding their engagement with PA apps during a first exposure to a never-used PA app and after 2 weeks’ usage. METHODS A longitudinal, one-arm qualitative study was conducted with potential PA app users. At baseline, participants (N=20) were asked to explore 1 of 3 randomly allocated PA apps while thinking aloud. Semistructured interview techniques allowed participants to elaborate on their statements. After 2 weeks, follow-up interviews explored participants’ (n=17) lived experiences of real-world app use. Verbal reports from both time points were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Features that promote a fair and simple user experience, support users’ self-regulation skills, and address users’ exercise motives were considered important for engagement both during a first exposure and after a 2-week use of PA apps. Features that support users’ need for relatedness as well as those that facilitate users to implement their intentions were expected to be important for engagement mainly during a first exposure to PA apps. Proactive and tailored features that integrate behavioral, psychological, and contextual information to provide adaptive exercise plans and just-in-time support were considered relevant to sustain engagement over time. CONCLUSIONS App features that address users’ exercise motives, promote self-regulation, and fulfill users’ need for relatedness might promote engagement with PA apps. Tailored and proactive features were expected to promote sustained engagement.