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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Exploring basic psychological needs within and across domains of physical activity
Birgitte Westerskov Dalgas, Karsten Elmose-Østerlund1, Thomas Viskum Gjelstrup Bredahl1
1Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Summary
Basic psychological needs satisfaction varies across physical activity domains in adults. Tailored strategies are effective for enhancing need satisfaction in transport, household, occupation, and recreation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Behavior
- Self-Determination Theory
Background:
- Basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) are crucial for well-being.
- Physical activity occurs across diverse life domains, each with unique characteristics.
- Understanding need satisfaction across these domains is key to promoting health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore variations in adults' satisfaction, unfulfilment, and frustration of basic psychological needs.
- To examine these experiences across four physical activity domains: transport, household, occupation, and recreation.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 42 Danish adults (aged 16-79).
- Thematic analysis guided by Self-Determination Theory.
- Diverse participant sample reflecting varied ages, genders, and physical activity levels.
Main Results:
- Autonomy satisfaction in Transport linked to control over means; Household activities with personal significance fostered autonomy and skill.
- Occupation-based physical activity satisfaction varied with job nature, impacting autonomy and competence.
- Recreation domain satisfaction depended on personal choice, goal achievement, and social interactions.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations in need satisfaction exist across different physical activity domains.
- Domain-specific strategies are effective for enhancing basic psychological needs satisfaction.
- Tailoring interventions to specific contexts can improve well-being through physical activity.
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