title: University students exercise behavioral regulation, motives, and physical fitness.
abstract: This study examined relationships between exercise motives, exercise behavioral regulations, and physical fitness in college students. It was hypothesized that more intrinsic motives and more self-determined regulations would be associated with better fitness. Exercise motives of students participating in physical activity classes (N = 194) were assessed using the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R) and behavioral regulations were assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ-2). Aerobic fitness was assessed using the PACER run test, and body composition was assessed using hand-held, bio-electric impedance analyzers. MPAM-R and BREQ-2 subscales were regressed onto the two fitness measures. For the MPAM-R, stronger competence and fitness motives predicted better fitness and stronger appearance motives predicted worse fitness. For the BREQ-2, higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition. These findings have implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, ASU Box 32071, Boone, NC 28607, USA. sibleyba@appstate.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sibley
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: Shawn M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bergman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult