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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

Motivations for adolescent physical activity.

Dana M Litt¹, Ronald J Iannotti, Jing Wang

¹Department of Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.

Journal of Physical Activity & Health

|March 19, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Motivating adolescents for physical activity (PA) is key for lifelong health. A validated measure shows external, social, and health motivations predict adolescent PA levels.

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

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Published on: July 27, 2022

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity

Published on: March 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Adolescent Health and Behavior
Exercise Psychology
Public Health Interventions

Background:

Maintaining physical activity (PA) in adolescence is crucial for immediate well-being and adult activity levels.
Adolescent PA positively impacts physical, psychological, and social development.

Purpose of the Study:

To validate the Wold and Kannas motivation measure for adolescent physical activity (PA).
To assess external reward, health values, and personal interest as motivations for adolescent PA.
To examine the relationship between these motivations and actual PA levels.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from 9011 adolescents via the Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey.
Employed a 10-item scale to measure motivations for physical activity (PA).
Applied multiple group confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to analyze the motivation scale and its relation to PA.

Main Results:

The Wold and Kannas motivation measure effectively assessed external, social, and health-related motivations.
These identified motivations were significant predictors of physical activity (PA) levels in adolescents.

Conclusions:

The Wold and Kannas motivation measure is a reliable tool for assessing physical activity (PA) motivations in US adolescents.
Findings support its use in theoretical research and public health interventions promoting adolescent PA.