For Exercise, Relaxation, or Spirituality: Exploring Participation Motives and Conformity to Masculine Norms among Male and Female Yoga Participants

Yoga is a traditional practice from India with the potential to promote physical activity and health. Participation worldwide remains low, particularly among men. To better understand yoga participation parameters, with a special focus on what influences male participation, this study examined gender differences in participation motives and conformity to masculine norms. It also explored these factors across three participant subgroups who differed in their engagement with the physical and the more psycho-spiritual aspects of yoga. A total of 546 yoga participants (138 males, 399 females, 9 others), 18–73 years old, completed an online survey that included an adapted version of the Exercise Motivation Inventory–2 and three subscales from the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory–46. Results showed significant gender differences in participation motives and conformity to masculine norms. Females were more motivated by positive affect, health/fitness, nimbleness, Mind–Body integration, and coping/stress management, whereas males were more motivated by supplementary activity and competition/social recognition. These differences should be considered in tailoring messages to promote uptake and continued participation. Furthermore, males were more likely than females to conform to emotional control and heterosexual self-presentation masculine norms. Future research may examine how differences in masculine norm adherence influences uptake, particularly among men.

Perfectionism, Motives, and Barriers to Exercise from a Person-Oriented Approach

Perfectionism is considered to be a significant personality factor within the sport and exercise field. However, very little is known about the reasons why individuals with different perfectionistic tendencies engage or not in physical activity. This study aims, from a person-oriented approach, to analyze if participation motives and barriers may differ among four perfectionistic profiles: Non-Perfectionists (low perfectionistic strivings, PS, and perfectionistic concerns, PC), Adaptive Perfectionists (high PS and low PC), Maladaptive Perfectionists (high PS and PC), and Moderate Perfectionists (moderate PS and PC). A sample composed of 597 (Mage = 22.08, SD = 3.33) undergraduates enrolled in a sport science degree from Ecuador participated in this study. Non-Perfectionists reported lower levels of motives, whereas Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionists reported higher scores on all participation motives. Significant and positive correlations were found between PS and both autonomous and controlled motives, whereas PC was positively correlated with controlled reasons and only significantly correlated with some autonomous reasons by the effect of PS. In terms of barriers, Maladaptive Perfectionists reported significantly higher scores on all barriers analyzed in comparison with the other three profiles, with moderate and large effect sizes. The results of the bivariate and partial correlations suggest that these inter-profile differences were explained by PC. Considering the results, it is advised to develop strategies to identify Maladaptive Perfectionists in order to increase their intrinsic reasons for practicing physical exercise, and to minimize their perceived barriers.

Application of the Educational Game to Enhance Student Learning

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of an educational game to enhance student learning effectiveness. This study consisted of 56 college students majoring in physical education and recreation management (32 men, 24 women, age M = 21 years, SD = 1.72). Students used the educational computer game “PaGamO” to study the motor learning and development course. Students received rewards based on their individual and group “PaGamO” scores. Regression analysis indicated that “PaGamO” score was a significant (p < 0.01) predictor of multiple choice (MC) score in the final examination, there was a medium positive correlation (β = 0.354). The R2 suggests that 12.6% of MC score was explained by “PaGamO” score. Quantitative and qualitative mixed-method approach was used to gain insights into students’ perceptions and experiences of the educational game. The top three statements of a modified questionnaire from Riemer and Schrader (2015) are: (1) “In my opinion, the use of ‘PaGamO’ enables me to better prepare for the final examination” (M = 5.04, SD = 1.41), (2) “In my opinion, the use of ‘PaGamO’ enables me to understand learning contents” (M = 4.8, SD = 1.19), (3) “In my opinion, the use of ‘PaGamO’ allows me to apply knowledge” (M = 4.75, SD = 1.08). The top three motives to play “PaGamO” were “fun,” “self-learning,” and “want to get a higher grade in the final examination.” By using gamification as a tool for learning and studying, students did find “PaGamO” effective for their learning experience. Both intrinsic and extrinsic participation motives are reasons why students play “PaGamO.” Furthermore, due to its convenience, using mobile devices to play “PaGamO” is more popular than using computers and tablet devices. In conclusion, the combination of gamification and traditional learning methods can enhance students’ learning outcomes.

Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People

Background Engagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance. Methods A qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach. Results Four main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”). Conclusions Features enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

Participation Motives of Sport and Exercise Maintainers: Influences of Age and Gender

Promotion of physical activity has become a global priority for public health. While many people do not adhere to the recommendations, sport and exercise maintainers have found their right or fitting practice. Thus, assessing and knowing the participation motives across maintainers helps to improve our understanding of the sports and exercise practices and, thus, to recommend and to design physical activities and programmes that fit to individuals’ motives. A modified version of the Bernese Motive and Goal Inventory was used in an Austria-wide cross-sectional study with 10646 sport and exercise maintainers (43% female). The study performed confirmatory factor analysis, examined measurement invariance, and compared participation motives. The results showed a good model fit and measurement invariance, indicating that the inventory can be applied independently of gender, age and years of sport/exercise experiences. Motives differed among gender, age and type of sports/exercise. Therefore, these variables should be considered in tailoring sport recommendations and interventions to promote adherence. Finally, the results are discussed by using the Self-Determination Theory indicating that sport and exercise maintainers pursue predominantly motives with intrinsic goal contents.

Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Engagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance. METHODS A qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach. RESULTS Four main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”). CONCLUSIONS Features enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

Reasons Why Older Adults Engage in Physical Exercise. Comparative Study Eastern Europe Versus Southern Europe

Introduction: Research on variables that encourage older adults to exercise is limited. This study was carried out to identify the participation motives of older Europeans involved in regular exercise. Methods: The 418 (170 men, 248 women) who participated in the survey are participants of the Erasmus Plus European Project In Common Sports. The participants were divided into two groups. Italy, Portugal, and Spain formed the Southern Europe group, and Bulgaria and Hungary the Eastern European group. All participants completed the Participation Motivation Questionnaire: Older Adults. Results: The most highly reported motives for participation were to have fun, stay in shape, keep healthy, and an enjoyment of exercise. Principal-components analysis of the questionnaire revealed six factors: social, fitness, recognition, challenge/benefits, medical, and involvement. Conclusions: The reasons why the residents of Southern European practice exercise are more related to medical reasons, while for Eastern Europe these reasons are more related to recognition.

THE MECHANISM OF LINKAGES BETWEEN ONLINE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE – A CASE STUDY OF A CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Online social network participation, and its impacts on festival attendees’ motivation, have been investigated in previous studies. However, the results have been inconclusive. Social network participation motives have also been researched but have mostly been limited to Facebook and other social media from the West. Social media participation motives in the East, for example in China, and its causes and effects on music festival attendance have remained underexplored. This study adopted a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews and netnography to empirically examine the connection between online social network participation and music festival attendance. Data collection included using netnography to explore a music festival social network chat group (online community) and then conducting in-depth interviews with festival attendees who were active members of the online community. The study sheds new light on festival attendees’ motives for online social network participation, a plausible mechanism and model to explain how an online music festival community sustains and connects its old and new members.