Exploring Self-Determination Theory-Based Motivational Profiles for Exercise Participation among U.S. Line Dancers

摘要

Physical activity (PA) has been important in reducing the number of chronic health conditions within the United States. To ensure that the effects of PA is transferred to one's life (Cerar et al., 2017), motivation has been considered a key factor that influences individuals' initiation and maintenance of behavior (Molamourouzi et al., 2015). In order to address this issue, researchers have begun investigating PA by exploring people's perceptions of their motivation for PA. One promising idea has been to focus on exercise participation motives (Markland & Hardy, 1993; Morris & Rogers, 2004) based on self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985). Working from Deci and Ryan's (1985) conceptual work, the present study sought to examine exercise participation motives among line dancers across the United States. A diverse sample of 705 line dance participants was recruited from across the United States. The study sought to confirm the factor structure of the PALMS (Physical Activity Leisure Motivation Scale) (Morris & Rogers, 2004) had an acceptable fit to the sample of U.S. line dance participants, identify homogeneous motivational profiles for exercise participation for the line dance participants, and determine which demographic characteristics of line dance participants predict line dance profile membership. Results revealed that PALMS did have an acceptable fit to the line dance data, three distinct line dance motivational profiles, and gender was the only useful predictor distinguishing between line dance profile membership groups. These findings are further discussed in the context of the existing literature, as are limitations, implications for practice, and future directions.