title: Self-determined motivation and physical activity in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Self-determination theory is used as a framework for examining the relation between motivation and physical activity. The purpose of this review was to systematically review studies that assessed the association between self-determined motivation and physical activity levels in children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched electronic databases in April 2013. Included studies assessed the relation between motivation (as outlined in self-determination theory) and physical activity in children and adolescents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six studies (n=15,984 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis indicated that overall levels of self-determined motivation had a weak to moderate, positive associations with physical activity (ρ=.21 to .31). Autonomous forms of motivation (i.e., intrinsic motivation and identified regulation) had moderate, positive associations with physical activity (ρ=.27 to .38), whereas controlled forms of motivation (i.e., introjection and external regulation) had weak, negative associations with physical activity (ρ=-.03 to -.17). Amotivation had a weak, negative association with physical activity (ρ=-.11 to -.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence provides some support for self-determination theory tenets. However, there was substantial heterogeneity in most associations and many studies had methodological shortcomings.
authors: University of Western Sydney, Australia; Australian Catholic University, Australia.
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: B Owen
authors: University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Jordan
authors: J
authors: Smith
authors: University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Lubans
authors: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors: Johan Y Y
authors: JY
authors: Ng
authors: University of Western Sydney, Australia; Australian Catholic University, Australia. Electronic address: chris.lonsdale@acu.edu.au.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Lonsdale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescent; Children; Leisure time; Physical activity; Physical education; Self-determination theory