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A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
University students exercise behavioral regulation, motives, and physical fitness
Benjamin A Sibley1, Lee Hancock, Shawn M Bergman
1Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, ASU Box 32071, Boone, NC 28607, USA. sibleyba@appstate.edu
Abstract:
This study examined relationships between exercise motives, exercise behavioral regulations, and physical fitness in college students. It was hypothesized that more intrinsic motives and more self-determined regulations would be associated with better fitness. Exercise motives of students participating in physical activity classes (N = 194) were assessed using the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R) and behavioral regulations were assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 (BREQ-2). Aerobic fitness was assessed using the PACER run test, and body composition was assessed using hand-held, bio-electric impedance analyzers. MPAM-R and BREQ-2 subscales were regressed onto the two fitness measures. For the MPAM-R, stronger competence and fitness motives predicted better fitness and stronger appearance motives predicted worse fitness. For the BREQ-2, higher intrinsic motivation predicted better aerobic fitness, and stronger, introjected regulation predicted higher body fat composition. These findings have implications for fitness professionals and physical educators.
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