Exercise, Physical Activity, and Self-Determination Theory: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Adolescents’ and parents’ experiences within a multidimensional school-based physical activity intervention grounded on self-determination theory were explored. Method: Qualitative data from 29 adolescents (aged 15–17 years) and three parents on behalf of the total students’ families were collected via participant observation (research diary), semistructured interviews, and focus groups. Results: Adolescents perceived that the application of motivational strategies, based on self-determination theory, satisfied their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, favored self-determined motivation, and gave rise to adaptive consequences (improved physical activity knowledge, creation of affective bonds, and increased leisure-time physical activity). These results were supported by the information reported by the students’ parents. Discussion/Conclusions: The findings support the implementation of self-determination theory-based multidimensional interventions to promote adolescents’ physical activity participation. This study also presents several motivational strategies which could be useful for the design and implementation of future school-based physical activity interventions.

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Impact of a residential program on the psychological needs, motivation and physical activity of obese adults: A controlled trial based on Self-Determination Theory

Movement & Sport Sciences - Science & Motricité ◽

10.1051/sm/2018013 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 33-40

Author(s):

Julie Boiché ◽

Mathieu Gourlan ◽

Léna Rubin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Standard Care ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Control Group ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Perceived Relatedness

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the increased benefits of a Self Determination Theory (SDT)-based motivational component on psychological needs’ fulfillment, self-determined motivation and Physical Activity (PA) of obese patients taking part in a rehabilitation program. Methods: Fourty-nine obese adults (mean age = 52 years, mean BMI = 38.25 kg/m2) attended a 3-week residential intervention. Patients in the Motivation group (n = 24) received a standard care plus SDT-based intervention (i.e., improved supervised PA sessions + a 1-hour motivational session). Patients in the Control group (n = 25) only benefited from standard care. Psychological needs and motivation were measured at baseline, at the end of the program and one month after. PA was measured at baseline and one month after the end of the program. Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to compare the evolution of the variables between groups. Results: The results indicated that participants from both groups displayed significant changes in their perceived autonomy, relatedness, intrinsic motivation and integrated regulation between the beginning and the end of the program. Next, participants from both groups showed a decrease in perceived relatedness between the end of the program and one month after. Last, the participants from the Motivation group reported greater increase of their PA scores between the beginning of the program and one month after as compared to those in the Control group. Conclusions: Obesity interventions should integrate motivational components in order to promote behavior maintenance after programs have ended.

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Implementation of Self-Determination Theory in College Physical Activity Classes

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000487298.11293.8b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

pp. 765

Author(s):

Matthew T. Mahar ◽

Lindsey W. Nanney ◽

Bhibha M. Das ◽

Thomas D. Raedeke ◽

Grace A. Vick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Self Determination ◽

Physical Activity Classes

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College Health Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Exercise Benefits and Dysfunctional Exercise

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v15i1.1891 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76

Author(s):

Ying Li ◽

Linda A. Keeler ◽

Megan Julia Jetter

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Community Health ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Self Determination ◽

Future Health ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Curriculum Changes ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Northwest Region

Background and Purpose: A high percentage of people fail to meet the federal Physical Activity Guidelines while some adults develop dysfunctional exercise. The applications of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the field of physical activity suggest that how people are motivated to exercise can lead to different outcomes, such as dysfunctional exercise. Adequate training for health promotion professionals can ensure their competency in successfully promoting healthy exercise. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions regarding exercise benefits and dysfunctional exercise among Kinesiology and Community Health students—the future health professionals. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 183 participants from a public university in the northwest region. Results: Both Kinesiology and Community Health majors demonstrated a low level of knowledge regarding dysfunctional exercise, and were inclined to cite controlled rather than autonomous benefits for exercise engagement. Conclusion: Program curriculum changes, such as the coverage of dysfunctional exercise and Self-Determination Theory, should be considered to address the issue.

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The Role of Self-Determination in Changing Physical Activity Behavior in People Diagnosed With Bowel Polyps: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2018-0279 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 42-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Liane S. Lewis ◽

Barnabas Shaw ◽

Srijit Banerjee ◽

Pryscilla Dieguez ◽

James Hernon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

The Self ◽

Self Determination ◽

Behavioral Regulation ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Supervised Exercise

This nonblinded randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of a physical activity (PA) intervention underpinned by self-determination theory. Participants (N = 31, mean age 69 years [SD = 4.9]) diagnosed with bowel polyps were randomized to an active lifestyle program (ALP; n = 17) or standard care (n = 14). ALP received supervised exercise and counseling for 6 months. Both groups were followed up at 12 months. Outcomes were change in PA and behavioral regulation. Data were analyzed with intention to treat. At 6 months, differences were observed for behavioral regulation in favor of ALP (p < .05). PA differences were significant for leisure, walking, and vigorous in favor of ALP (p < .05). The self-determination theory can be an effective strategy for promoting PA behavior change in this population, but a larger trial is needed to further explore the utility of the self-determination theory in this context.

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