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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Transitions in exercise motive profiles and their association with physical activity adherence among low-active
Reilly Ruzella1, William Gilbert2, Yan Luo1
1Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
Background:
The association between cognitive training and exercise motives remains unclear, especially when training targets self-regulatory capacity rather than goal content.
Purpose:
To explore the nature and replicability of exercise motive profiles among low-active middle-aged adults, examine how a multimodal cognitive training intervention was associated with transitions across profiles, and assess associations between motive profile membership and subsequent physical activity adherence over 12 months.
Methods:
Low-active adults (N = 233; Mage = 46.7) completed the Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 (EMI-2) at baseline and one-month post-randomization. Latent profile analyses identified motive profiles at each time point; profile similarity tests and latent transition analyses assessed replicability and change. Physical activity guideline adherence was tracked monthly for 12 months post-intervention using Fitbit-derived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Baseline demographics, Fitbit steps, and cardiorespiratory fitness were examined as correlates.
Results:
Four profiles emerged and replicated over time: Weakly Motivated, Moderately Motivated with Fitness Orientation, Moderately Motivated with Psychological Well-Being Orientation, and Strongly Motivated. Membership to these profiles was not associated with demographic characteristics, and only minimally by baseline Fitbit steps and cardiorespiratory fitness. The first two profiles displayed fewer months meeting physical activity guidelines, whereas the latter two showed higher levels of adherence. The Strongly Motivated profile was least stable but showed the strongest associations with the cognitive training intervention, whereas the Moderately Motivated with Fitness Orientation was more stable but showed a similar association with the intervention.
Conclusions:
Brief cognitive training targeting self-regulatory capacity-rather than goal content-was associated with shifts in motive profiles. Profiles characterized by stronger or well-being-oriented motives were linked to better physical activity guidelines adherence, suggesting that tailoring programs to motive profiles may support long-term engagement. Future research should identify the most effective intervention components and examine these dynamics in more diverse samples.
