Older adults' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation toward physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how motives discriminate 3 physical activity levels of inactive, active, and sustained maintainers.


METHODS
Six hundred forty-five adults (M age = 63.8) completed stage-of-change and Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2) scales. Exploratory factor analysis established psychometric properties of the EMI-2 suitable for older adults.


RESULTS
Six factors emerged in the EMI-2: health and fitness, social/emotional benefits, weight management, stress management, enjoyment, and appearance. Enjoyment contributed most to differentiating activity levels. Moderators of age and gender were delineated.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrinsic motivation and self-determined extrinsic motivation distinguish older adults' activity levels.
Dacey
Marie
M
School of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. marie.dacey@mcphs.edu
Baltzell
Amy
A
Zaichkowsky
Len
L
D003710:Demography; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires