title: Motivational and evolutionary aspects of a physical exercise training program: a longitudinal study.
abstract: Several studies have indicated that motivational level and prior expectations influence one's commitment to physical activity. Moreover, these aspects are not properly described in terms of proximal (SDT, Self Determination Theory) and distal (evolutionary) explanations in the literature. This paper aims to verify if level of motivation (BREQ-2, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2) and expectations regarding regular physical exercise (IMPRAF-54) before starting a 1-year exercise program could determine likelihood of completion. Ninety-four volunteers (53 women) included a completed protocol group (CPG; n = 21) and drop-out group (n = 73). The IMPRAF-54 scale was used to assess six different expectations associated with physical activity, and the BREQ-2 inventory was used to assess the level of motivation in five steps (from amotivation to intrinsic motivation). Both questionnaires were assessed before starting a regular exercise program. The CPG group presented higher sociability and lower pleasure scores according to IMPRAF-54 domains. A logistic regression analysis showed that a one-point increment on sociability score increased the chance of completing the program by 10%, and the same one-point increment on pleasure score reduced the chance of completing the protocol by 16%. ROC curves were also calculated to establish IMPRAF-54 cutoffs for adherence (Sociability - 18.5 points - 81% sensibility/50% specificity) and dropout (Pleasure - 25.5 points - 86% sensibility/20% specificity) of the exercise protocol. Our results indicate that an expectation of social interaction was a positive factor in predicting adherence to exercise. Grounded in SDT and its innate needs (competence, autonomy, relatedness), physical exercise is not an end; it is a means to achieve autonomy and self-cohesion. The association of physical activity with social practices, as occurs in hunter-gathering groups, can engage people to be physically active and can provide better results in adherence exercise programs for the general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil ; Sport Psychology Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte Brazil.
authors.forename: João P P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Center for Communication and Cognitive Science (4C), Escola de Comunicações e Artes, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Altay A L
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giscard H O
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dayane F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Aquino Lemos
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: da Silva Alves
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tufik
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil ; Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício São Paulo, Brazil ; Sport Psychology Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: de Mello
keywords: adherence; evolutionary aspects of physical exercise; exercise motivation; health promotion; sociability