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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Does autonomous motivation and self-efficacy mediate associations between environmental factors and physical activity
Rodrigo de Oliveira Barbosa1, Géssika Castilho Dos Santos2, Jadson Marcio da Silva3
1Post-Graduate Program in Human Movement Science, Health Science Center, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná, Alameda Padre Magno, n° 841 - CEP, Jacarezinho, Jacarezinho- Paraná, PR, 86400 000, Brazil.
Background:
To analyze the associations among autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, social support and perceived environment with physical activity practice of adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years; and to test autonomous motivations and self-efficacy as potential mediators of the associations between these environmental factors and physical activity practice.
Methods:
We evaluated 553 adolescents, that participated in the ActTeens Program. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, parents' social support and perceived environment were assessed using specifics questionnaires. Linear regression models were used to test the associations.
Results:
Parents' support (β = 0.32), satisfaction of basic psychological needs of colleagues (β = 0.21) and teachers (β = 0.12), and perceived environment (β = 0.10) had significant associations with physical activity (p < 0.05). The direct effect value was reduced when autonomous motivation was added as a mediator of the association between parents' support and physical activity (β = 0.24), with a 25% mediated effect. Autonomous motivation was mediator of the relationship between basic psychological needs of colleagues (β = 0.13; EM = 38%), teachers (β = 0.02; EM = 83%), and perceived environment (β = 0.03; EM = 70%) with physical activity.
Conclusion:
Self-efficacy was not associated with physical activity and autonomous motivation was an important mediator of adolescents' physical activity.
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