Implementation of Self-Determination Theory in College Physical Activity Classes

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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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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Integrating Self-determination Theory and Upper Limb Factors to Predict Physical Activity in Patients With Breast Cancer During Chemotherapy

Cancer Nursing ◽

10.1097/ncc.0000000000000951 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽

Author(s):

Ying Fu ◽

Kun Li ◽

Zijun Zhou ◽

Wenqi Wei ◽

Canfei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Self Determination

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Motivational Variables to Predict Autotelic Experience and Enjoyment of Students. Analysis in Function of Environment and Sports Practice

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062352 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2352 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marta Leyton-Román ◽

Marta Guíu-Carrera ◽

Asier Coto-Cañamero ◽

Ruth Jiménez-Castuera

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Perceived Support ◽

Perception Of Support

The aim of this study was to find out how self-determined motivation, Basic Psychological Needs (BPN) and the perception of support influence autonomy-predicted autotelic experience and enjoyment, and to analyse the differences depending on the geographical location of the centre and whether they lead to the practice of physical activity, extracurricular or not, of 271 learners in physical education from 10 to 12 years (M = 10.94, SD = 0.73). The theoretical framework used was the Self-Determination Theory. The results showed that more self-determined motivation, the perception of support for autonomy and BPN positively predict both autotelic experience and enjoyment. Moreover, learners from urban areas have higher values in less self-determined forms of motivation and lower levels of perceived support for autonomy and BPN than learners from rural areas. Furthermore, students who carry out extracurricular physical activity had higher values in all variables compared to those who did not. It is essential to promote sport to students with more self-determined forms of motivation through the satisfaction of BPN, especially in students who do not do extracurricular physical activity and students in urban areas.

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“It’s having something that you’ve done it for”: Applying Self-Determination Theory to participants’ motivations in a for-cause physical activity event

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105320947811 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135910532094781

Author(s):

John A Bernhart ◽

Sara Wilcox ◽

Lindsay Decker ◽

Diane K Ehlers ◽

Brooke W McKeever ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Self Determination ◽

Future Studies ◽

Future Events

For-cause physical activity events reach many people. Little research has applied Self-Determination Theory to participants’ experiences in for-cause physical activity events. This qualitative study explored participants’ ( n = 18) experiences in 5K for-cause physical activity events and intention to complete future events. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Emergent coding assessed responses for themes. Constructs of competence and relatedness were most prevalent and an altruistic desire to support the cause. Participants highlighted feelings of community supporting their intention to complete future events. Overall, experiences aligned with Self-Determination Theory. Future studies may include altruism to understand leveraging opportunities for promoting physical activity.

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