The relationship between exercise motives and psychological well-being

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Exercise Science
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Self-determination theory provides a framework for understanding motivation.
• Exercise motivation is crucial for psychological well-being.
• The duration of exercise may influence the relationship between motivation and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between exercise motives (intrinsic and extrinsic) and psychological well-being.
• To examine how exercise duration moderates this relationship in undergraduate students.
• To apply self-determination theory to understand exercise behavior and mental health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Survey methodology with 227 undergraduate students (102 men, 125 women).
• Participants were categorized into two groups: exercising <6 months and exercising ≥6 months.
• Measures included exercise motivation, self-esteem, psychological well-being, and stress.

Main Results:

• For individuals exercising <6 months, extrinsic exercise motives were linked to poorer psychological well-being.
• For individuals exercising ≥6 months, intrinsic exercise motives were associated with better psychological well-being.
• Self-esteem and stress levels were also assessed in relation to motivation and well-being.

Conclusions:

• Exercise motivation's impact on psychological well-being is contingent on exercise experience duration.
• Intrinsic motivation is beneficial for psychological well-being in established exercisers.
• Extrinsic motivation may be detrimental to psychological well-being in novice exercisers, highlighting the utility of self-determination theory.