Development and validation of the goal content for exercise questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Self-determination theory (SDT) highlights the importance of intrinsic versus extrinsic goal content for behavior and well-being.
• Understanding exercise motivation requires tools to differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic exercise goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and psychometrically test the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ).
• To assess the reliability and validity of the GCEQ in measuring intrinsic and extrinsic goal content in exercise.

Main Methods:

• Developed the GCEQ through three studies involving adult participants (N = 354, N = 312, N = 475).
• Utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to establish the questionnaire's structure.
• Assessed external validity, temporal stability, gender invariance, and internal consistency.

Main Results:

• A 20-item GCEQ solution with 5 lower-order factors (social affiliation, health management, skill development, image, social recognition) was supported.
• These factors could be subsumed within a higher-order structure of intrinsic and extrinsic goals.
• The GCEQ demonstrated good psychometric properties, including reliability and validity.

Conclusions:

• The GCEQ is a psychometrically sound measure for assessing intrinsic and extrinsic goal content in exercise.
• This tool can aid in understanding the motivational underpinnings of exercise behavior.
• Findings support the application of Self-Determination Theory to exercise goal content.