TITLE:
Basic Psychological Needs in Predicting Exercise Participation
AUTHORS:
Jennifer V. Martinez, Crystal D. Oberle, Alexander J. Nagurney
KEYWORDS:
Self-Determination Theory; Psychological Need Satisfaction; Exercise Participation; Gender
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.3 No.1,
February
27,
2013
ABSTRACT: This study examined propositions stemming
from self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), which contends that
motivational consequences and positive outcomes are predicted by the needs for
competence, relatedness, and autonomy. Participants completed the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise (Wilson, Rogers, Rodgers, & Wild, 2006) scale and had their gym access
activity monitored for six weeks. Regression analyses revealed that only
competence emerged as a statistically significant predictor of exercise
participation, and that this prediction was true for women only (p = .04). These findings suggest that
exercise and health professionals must take care to ensure that this need is
met, particularly in their female clients who may be impacted by traditional
gender roles in sport contexts.