Intrinsic motivation in exercise: A concept analysis

To explore the concept of intrinsic motivation in exercise as it pertains to nursing.

Exercise is an integral part of treating and preventing chronic diseases, and yet the vast majority of adults do not adequately meet endorsed exercise recommendations. Evaluating motivation for exercise assists in the effort to promote sustained exercise participation. Intrinsic motivation speaks to the innate drive for an action or behavior. Intrinsic motivation has previously been evaluated in various disciplines including nursing, education, exercise science, medicine, and psychology. The combination of intrinsic motivation and exercise can be applied in the nursing discipline to evaluate, predict, and impact behavior change.

Concept analysis using Walker and Avant (2019) methodology.

PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychINFO. Articles from the years 2011 to 2020 were included.

Literature from multiple disciplines was synthesized to explore the concept of intrinsic motivation in the context of exercise.

Characteristics of intrinsic motivation, their attributes, antecedents, and consequences were identified. The concept analysis represents a consensus of the identified literature providing a concise description of intrinsic motivation with exercise. Four vital attributes were identified in the literature and became the basis of the concept analysis; self-efficacy, competence, self-determination, and satisfaction.

This concept analysis provides a foundation from which to create nursing interventions aimed at fostering intrinsic motivation for exercise. Expansion of our knowledge of intrinsic motivation, in the context of exercise, has the potential to enhance approaches used by nurses and nurse providers to affect healthy behavior changes.