scholarly journals Shifting Motivations: Young Women’s Reflections on Physical Activity Over Time and Across Contexts

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen O'Dougherty ◽  
Mindy S. Kurzer ◽  
Kathryn H. Schmitz

This research analyzes motivations expressed by young, healthy, sedentary women before and after an exercise intervention. Young women (aged 18-30, n = 39) participated in focus groups or interviews during a 4-month exercise intervention. Afterward, 22 of these women and 20 controls completed physical activity diaries for 6 months and were interviewed. For the majority of women ( n = 24), obligation to the study prevailed as the motivator during the intervention. Some ( n = 15) became physically active for their own benefit. Afterward, exercisers and controls said they were physically active to feel better and/or healthy ( n = 20), for body image and/ or weight loss ( n = 20), or both. Women expressed motivations for physical activity in ways that resonated with self-determination theory. Their commentaries expand on theory to include experiencing multiple motivations simultaneously and motivations shifting over time and in differing contexts. Social motivations were compelling, both those associated with societal values (research, health) and cultural trends (body image).

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1045-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Scarpa ◽  
Alessandra Nart ◽  
Erica Gobbi ◽  
Attilio Carraro

Physically active people are usually more satisfied with their bodies than are sedentary people (Davis, 2002), but the influences exerted by physical activity on body image (BI) are not clear. In the current study, the effects of a posture correction exercise (PCE) session on attitudinal state BI were examined. We wanted to know if a single PCE session could have an immediate and positive influence on attitudinal state BI in women. Participants (217 women) were randomized into 2 groups either taking part in a PCE (experimental condition) or a reading-a-newspaper (RN; control condition) session, in a cross-over design. Before and after PCE and RN sessions, participants completed the Body Image States Scale (Cash, Fleming, Alindogan, Steadman, & Whitehead, 2002), indicating their attitudinal state BI at that time. Results showed an immediate increase in state BI scores after a 1-hour PCE session, suggesting that the acute effect of PCE causes an improvement in attitudinal state BI.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tobias Ochmann ◽  
Keito F A Philippi ◽  
Peter Zeier ◽  
Magdalena Sandner ◽  
Barlo Hillen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Physical activity ameliorates chronic stress. Latest research suggests a relation between resilience and physical fitness. Beneficial adaptations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the sympathetic nervous system, the endocannabinoid system, and the tryptophan pathway, induced by an active lifestyle, are considered to be resilience conducive. However, detailed knowledge on the molecular link between the effects of acute and chronic physical exercise and an improved resilience is missing. OBJECTIVE Therefore, we implement a human exercise intervention trial addressing the main hypotheses: (1) web-based exercise training improves aerobic capacity of physically inactive adults, which (2) is accompanied by improved resilience. In this setting, we will analyze the relation of resilience parameters with innate and acquired aerobic capacity as well as circulating signaling molecules. METHODS 70 healthy physically inactive (<150min/week physical activity) adults (18-45y) will be randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group receive weekly training utilizing progressive endurance and interval running individually adapted to their training performance via web-based physician support. A standardized incremental treadmill exercise test is performed before and after the intervention period of eight weeks to determine innate and acquired aerobic capacity. Before and after the intervention psychological tests and questionnaires that characterize parameters implicated in resilience (including impulse control, working memory, stress coping, emotion regulation) will be applied. Blood, and saliva will be sampled for analysis of lactate, cortisol, endocannabinoids, catecholamines, kynurenic acid, cell-free DNA and further circulating signal transducers. Statistical analysis will provide comprehensive knowledge on the relation of aerobic capacity and resilience, and furthermore, the capacity of peripheral factors to mediate the promoting effects of exercise on resilience. RESULTS The study was registered in October 2019. Enrollment began in September 2019. Out of 161 subjects, who were initially screened via telefon survey, 43 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. Among the 17 participants in the intervention group, and 14 participants in the control group, who completed the study (total 31), no serious adverse event has been reported. Four participants withdrew during the programm (individual reasons), and 8 participants have not yet completed or begun the program due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Enrollment and data analysis are ongoing, and results are expected to be submitted for publication in October 2021. CONCLUSIONS Our study aims to demonstrate that an increase in physical activity with a simultaneous improvement in aerobic capacity is associated with an increase in resilience. This study design allows to investigate the effect of an active lifestyle on circulating molecular marker levels and their relationship to resilience factors. This will offer novel approaches for the diagnosis of depression and the therapy by exercise prescription. CLINICALTRIAL DRKS00018078, registered October 02, 2019, German Clinical Trials Register. Retrospectively registered: First participant September 10, 2019.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83
Author(s):  
Melinda B. Smith ◽  
Diane L. Gill ◽  
Erin J. Reifsteck

Former student-athletes (SAs) experience unique barriers to maintaining their physical activity, such as loss of team support, less motivation without specific goals, and identity-related changes. Informed by a self-determination theory framework, the authors developed a 6-week Pilates-based intervention to support the physical and psychological wellness of SAs by fostering self-determined motivation and basic psychological needs satisfaction as they make the transition to physically active alumni. In this case study, the authors outline the development and implementation of the program with final-year SAs (N = 12) at a Division III institution. Feasibility was demonstrated through high adherence and positive participant feedback suggesting they valued their experiences in the program and felt more confident in pursuing new forms of physical activity beyond college sports. To extend this type of programming at other institutions, the authors recommend that sport psychology professionals consider unique institutional barriers and opportunities for supporting SAs in their transition to meaningful lifetime activity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Segar ◽  
John A. Updegraff ◽  
Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher ◽  
Caroline R. Richardson

The reasons for exercising that are featured in health communications brand exercise and socialize individuals about why they should be physically active. Discovering which reasons for exercising are associated with high-quality motivation and behavioral regulation is essential to promoting physical activity and weight control that can be sustained over time. This study investigates whether framing physical activity in advertisements featuring distinct types of goals differentially influences body image and behavioral regulations based on self-determination theory among overweight and obese individuals. Using a three-arm randomized trial, overweight and obese women and men (aged 40–60 yr,n=1690) read one of three ads framing physical activity as a way to achieve (1) better health, (2) weight loss, or (3) daily well-being. Framing effects were estimated in an ANOVA model with pairwise comparisons using the Bonferroni correction. This study showed that there are immediate framing effects on physical activity behavioral regulations and body image from reading a one-page advertisement about physical activity and that gender and BMI moderate these effects. Framing physical activity as a way to enhance daily well-being positively influenced participants’ perceptions about the experience of being physically active and enhanced body image among overweight women, but not men. The experiment had less impact among the obese study participants compared to those who were overweight. These findings support a growing body of research suggesting that, compared to weight loss, framing physical activity for daily well-being is a better gain-frame message for overweight women in midlife.


2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Antonio Moreno-Murcia ◽  
Elisa Huéscar ◽  
Eduardo Cervelló

The purpose of this study, based on the self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000) was to test the prediction power of student's responsibility, psychological mediators, intrinsic motivation and the importance attached to physical education in the intention to continue to practice some form of physical activity and/or sport, and the possible relationships that exist between these variables. We used a sample of 482 adolescent students in physical education classes, with a mean age of 14.3 years, which were measured for responsibility, psychological mediators, sports motivation, the importance of physical education and intention to be physically active. We completed an analysis of structural equations modelling. The results showed that the responsibility positively predicted psychological mediators, and this predicted intrinsic motivation, which positively predicted the importance students attach to physical education, and this, finally, positively predicted the intention of the student to continue doing sport. Results are discussed in relation to the promotion of student's responsibility towards a greater commitment to the practice of physical exercise.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Chen ◽  
E.A. Selimovic ◽  
M. Daunis ◽  
T.A. Bayers T ◽  
L.J. Vargas ◽  
...  

AbstractSubjects (n=13) did 30 workouts with their left leg on an Inertial Exercise Trainer (IET), while their right leg served as an untreated control. Before and after the 30 workouts, they underwent isokinetic strength tests (knee and ankle extensors of both legs) whose peak torque (PT), time to PT (TTPT), and rate of torque development (RTD) values were each analyzed with 2(leg)×2(time)×3(velocity) analysis of variances (ANOVAs), with repeated measures per independent variable. Peak force (PF) and total work (TW) data were measured from each IET workout, and they represent time course strength changes produced by our exercise intervention. PF and TW values for the three IET exercises that comprised each workout were each analyzed with one-way ANOVAs with time as the independent variable. Results included significant ankle and knee extensor PT increases, whereby the left leg achieved higher values at posttesting, but there were no significant TTPT changes and a time effect for ankle extensor RTD. Our data show that PF and TW each had significant increases over time, with the latter exhibiting greater gains over the 30-workout intervention. Our results imply that the IET yields strength gains over time comparable to standard resistive exercise hardware.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (18) ◽  
pp. 1718-1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela M. Rist ◽  
Benjamin D. Capistrant ◽  
Elizabeth Rose Mayeda ◽  
Sze Y. Liu ◽  
M. Maria Glymour

Objective:To determine whether physical activity and body mass index (BMI) predict instrumental or basic activities of daily living (I/ADL) trajectories before or after stroke compared to individuals who remained stroke-free.Methods:Using a prospective cohort, the Health and Retirement Study, we followed adults without a history of stroke in 1998 (n = 18,117) for up to 14 years. We estimated linear regression models of I/ADL trajectories comparing individuals who remained stroke-free throughout follow-up (n = 16,264), those who survived stroke (n = 1,374), and those who died after stroke and before the next interview wave (n = 479). We evaluated whether I/ADL trajectories differed by physical activity or BMI at baseline (before stroke), adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates.Results:Compared to those who were physically active, stroke survivors who were physically inactive at baseline had a lower probability of independence in ADLs and IADLs 3 years after stroke (risk difference = −0.18 and −0.16 for ADLs and IADLs, respectively). However, a similar difference in the probability of independence was also present 3 years before stroke, and we observed no evidence that physical activity slowed the rate of decline in independence before or after stroke. Unlike the results for physical activity, we did not observe a consistent pattern for the probability of independence in ADLs or IADLs comparing obese stroke survivors to normal-weight or to overweight stroke survivors 3 years before stroke or 3 years after stroke.Conclusions:Physical inactivity predicts a higher risk of being dependent both before and after stroke.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Leite ◽  
Fulvio Alexandre Scorza ◽  
Marly de Albuquerque ◽  
Arthur Cukiert ◽  
Cristine Baldauf ◽  
...  

OBJETIVES: Studies have shown that people with epilepsy have a low degree of participation in physical activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical exercise habits in patients after epilepsy surgery using a standardized questionnaire. MMETHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 102 patients submitted to cortico-amigdalo-hippocampectomy. A questionnaire was designed to assess physical activities participation before and after surgery. Patients were classified as physically active, inadequately active or sedentary. The questionnaire was applied pre-operatively and after a mean of 47 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Forty eight per cent of the patients participated in physical activities before surgery and 56% of them did so post-operatively. No considerable changes in physical activity participation were observed after surgery. Additionally, the frequency they needed supervision during exercise, were advised by a physician not to practice exercise or cautioned by a relative or friend against participation in sports did not change significantly after successful epilepsy surgery. Less exercise-related seizures occurred postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Difficulties adapting to seizure freedom and psychosocial and psychiatric co-morbidity might be important factors interfering in these physical activity habits. A multidisciplinary approach might be the only way to try to alter some aspects of these patients' postoperative life style.


Author(s):  
Kathleen E. Burns ◽  
Ashok Chaurasia ◽  
Valerie Carson ◽  
Scott T. Leatherdale

(1) School-based physical activity programs such as intramurals provide youth with inclusive opportunities to be physically active, yet we know little about how types of intramurals (e.g., team and individual sports) may contribute to youth MVPA. This research aims to evaluate how real-world changes in types of intramurals available in schools impact youth physical activity over time. (2) This study used three years of longitudinal school- and student-level data from Ontario schools participating in year 5 (2016–2017), year 6 (2017–2018) and year 7 (2018–2019) of the COMPASS study. Data on types of intramural programs from 55 schools were obtained, baseline demographic characteristics were measured and data on physical activity and sport participation were collected on a sample of 4417 students. Hierarchical linear mixed regression models were used to estimate how changes in the type of intramurals associate with youth MVPA over time. (3) Regardless of participation, adding individual and team intramurals was significantly and positively associated with female MVPA in Y6. (4) The indirect, but positive relationship between adding individual and team intramurals and female MVPA may be explained by other characteristics of the school environment that are conducive to female MVPA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Viktorisson ◽  
Elisabeth M. Andersson ◽  
Erik Lundström ◽  
Katharina S. Sunnerhagen

AbstractRegular physical activity is widely recommended in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke. Physical activity may enhance cognitive performance after stroke, but cognitive impairments could also hinder a person to take part in physical activity. However, a majority of previous studies have not found any association between post-stroke cognitive impairments and a person’s subsequent level of activity. In this explorative, longitudinal study, we describe the intraindividual change in physical activity from before to 6 months after stroke, in relation to early screening of post-stroke cognitive impairments. Participants were recruited at 2 to 15 days after stroke, and screened for cognitive impairments using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool. Information on pre-stroke physical activity was retrospectively collected at hospital admittance by physiotherapists. Post-stroke physical activity was evaluated after 6 months. Of 49 participants included, 44 were followed up. The level of physical activity changed in more than half of all participants after stroke. Participants who were physically active 6 months after stroke presented with significantly less cognitive impairments. These results highlight that many stroke survivors experience a change in their physical activity level following stroke, and that unimpaired cognition may be important for a stroke survivors’ ability to be physically active.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document